The Federal Government is removing the cap on places for its apprenticeship wage subsidy and providing greater clarity on how long it will be available, as part of an additional $1.2 billion investment into training.
The subsidy, which covers 50 per cent of the wages of a new apprentice or trainee up to $7000 a quarter, will be available to an unlimited number of places.
Announced as part of the government’s response to COVID-19, the scheme was initially capped at 100,000 when it was announced in October 2020.
The latest announcement is expected to generate at least another 70,000 jobs, including up to 12,000 in WA.
ASA Manager Lena Constantine.
Apprenticeship Support Australia (ASA) Manager Lena Constantine says there has been a “phenomenal uptake” of the scheme from employers.
“It has had a huge impact on employer behaviour,” she says.
“We can see that activity has trebled in terms of employers taking on apprentices and trainees in the past five months.”
The government has also committed to paying employers a full 12 months of the subsidy, rather than ending payments on September 30 2021.
“Removing the cap and offering a clear end date as to when an employer needs to get a contract registered offers employers certainty so they can plan ahead in terms of increasing their apprentice and trainee workforce,” Constantine adds.
The subsidy is available to all employers taking on new apprenticeships or trainees between October 5 2020 and September 30 2021.
ASA estimates that WA employers have secured between 11,000 and 15,000 new apprentices and trainees through the program so far.
For more information on how to apply for the subsidy contact ASA on 1300 363 831.
Read more about apprentice and trainee grants here, top apprentice myths debunked here and access you apprentice toolkit here.
