Victorian Apprentices Receive Government Support
The Victorian State Government is currently leading the charge in supporting Australian Apprentices and Trainees, and securing Australia’s trade future, recently announcing $9 million in support for Group Training Organisations over the next three years.
The Andrews Labor Government has put aside the money to help support more than 17,000 apprentices and trainees over the next three years. The support will be critical in helping apprentices and trainees find regular employment as they move through their training.
“Apprentices and trainees are the backbone of Victoria’s training system and the future of our workforce. We’re giving them every opportunity to get the skills they need for the jobs they want,” said Premier Daniel Andrews.
The announcement follows a delivered promise to cut car registration fees for trade apprentices in metropolitan and regional Victoria, to assist with the high cost of living and counteract traditionally low wages. “These vehicles are often important tools of the job and we’ve delivered on our commitment to halve regos for eligible young bricklayers, carpenters, joiners, electricians and plumbers, who rely on our roads to get to and from each job,” said Roads Minister Luke Donnellan.
This support is greatly welcomed amongst the trade community in Victoria, and MIGAS is pleased to see a reinvigoration of government support for traditional trade pathways. In another show of support for apprentices and trainees, the New South Wales Government requires bidders for major infrastructure projects to demonstrate how many apprentices will be recruited, imposing minimum numbers based on project size. The Queensland Government also recently reintroduced the highly successful Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative, investing $240 million over four years to support 32,000 Queenslanders into work.
MIGAS CEO Philip Marwedel encourages all State Governments and the Federal Government alike to continue the efforts to secure the trade futures of some 308,800 apprentices and trainees in training nationwide.
“Government support for apprentice schemes like GTO’s are essential to ensuring the future of Australia’s skilled workforce. Recent Federal funding cuts have forced a decline in apprentice numbers, but we are optimistic renewed government support coupled with increased manufacturing and construction activity will see a reversal of these figures,” said Mr Marwedel.
Victorian Apprentices, if you’d like more information on if you’re eligible for discounted registration fees visit the Victorian Roads website.
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