The Government’s $145.6 million Securing Apprenticeships and Traineeships initiative supports out-of-trade apprentices and trainees to remain connected to the workforce and to maintain their investment in training. The initiative also increases the national skills base through successful completion of apprenticeship and traineeship training.
The Securing Apprenticeships and Traineeships payments, provides financial support to employers who take on out-of-trade apprentices and trainees, or who successfully complete apprentices or trainees, at the Certificate III or IV level in skills shortage trades, or in selected Diploma or Advanced Diploma level qualifications.
Questions and Answers
How much are the Securing Apprenticeships and Traineeships payments? When and how will it be paid?
- The Securing Apprenticeships and Traineeships payments may provide eligible employers with up to an additional $2,800. This would comprise a wage subsidy of $150 per week paid at the twelve week point after recommencement and an additional completion payment of $1,000 paid on successful completion.
- The Securing Apprenticeships and Traineeships wage subsidy will be available to employers, including Group Training Organisations, who recommence an eligible out-of-trade apprentice or trainee on or after 1 January 2009.
- The Securing Apprenticeships and Traineeships completion payment will be available to employers, including Group Training Organisations, who successfully complete an eligible apprentice or trainee on or after 1 January 2009.
- Payments will be made through Australian Apprenticeships Centres and will be available for two years until 31 December 2010.
What are out-of-trade apprentices and trainees?
- Out-of-trade apprentices and trainees are former apprentices and trainees who did not successfully complete their apprenticeships or traineeships due to being ‘laid off’ by their employers.
What qualifications at the Certificate III/IV level are eligible for the new payment?
- Qualifications at the Certificate III/IV leading to an occupation in skills shortage are eligible. Occupations in skills shortage are listed on the National Skills Needs List.
For more information about the National Skills Needs List please call the Skilling Australia information service on 13 38 73 or visit the Australian Apprenticeships website at australianapprenticeships.
What qualifications at the Diploma/Advanced Diploma level are eligible for the new payment?
- Diploma and Advanced Diploma level qualifications listed on the Higher Technical Skills list are eligible. For more information about the Higher Technical Skills list, please call the Skilling Australia information service on 13 38 73 or visit the Australian Apprenticeships website at australianapprenticeships.
Are the new payments in addition to existing support for employers of apprentices and trainees?
- Yes. The new payments are in addition to the suite of employer incentives already available under the Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program. Employers of apprentices and trainees at the Certificate III level and above may already be eligible to receive $4,000 in incentives comprising a $1,500 commencement incentive and a $2,500 completion incentive.
What support will apprentices and trainees receive?
- Apprentices and trainees undertaking an apprenticeship or traineeship in a skills shortage occupation may continue to be eligible to receive personal benefits such as the Living Away From Home Allowance, Commonwealth Trade Learning Scholarship, Tools For Your Trade, Apprenticeship Training (Fee) Voucher, and Apprenticeship Wage Top-Up or Support for Mid-Career Apprentices.
This information is taken from the Australian Apprenticeships Centres Information. Visit their website www.natinfo.com.au
More for you from NMIT
For more information about apprenticeships and traineeships, contact your NMIT department or phone (03) 9269 1200 today.
If you're an out-of-work or placed on downtime - find out how NMIT Business Enterprise Centre can help get you get skilled up for the future.
