Expert Panel
An Expert Panel has been appointed, led by Mr Jim McDowell, to advise on the steps needed to sustain and grow a stronger Australian Apprenticeships system. The panel will examine apprenticeship training arrangements, including current incentives, and suggest principles and evidence to improve outcomes for both apprentices and industry.
The work of the panel will be underpinned by a study on related economic costs and benefits, including research undertaken by the National Centre for Vocational Education and Research. The panel will report to the Government early in 2011.
Survey of Employers and Australian Apprentices
During June and July 2010, The Social Research Centre will be conducting telephone surveys on behalf of the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR). The surveys are part of a research project to measure the effectiveness of Australian Apprenticeships initiatives that were introduced as part of the Jobs and Training Compact.
During this period two types of telephone surveys will be conducted – the Employers of Australian Apprentices Survey and the Australian Apprentices Survey.
The Employers of Australian Apprentices Survey will include employers and Group Training Organisations who employ, or have recently employed, Australian Apprentices. The purpose of this survey is to find out in what way, if any, the global recession has impacted on the employment of apprentices and to ask about government initiatives aimed at encouraging employers to hire apprentices.
The Australian Apprentices survey will include those that are undertaking, or who have recently completed an apprenticeship, and those who had commenced an apprenticeship but are now out-of-trade. The purpose of this survey is to find out the experiences of apprentices, their pathways into apprenticeships, and their attitudes towards and awareness of government incentive programs. Approximately 1,400 apprentices will be randomly selected to participate in this survey.
If you are contacted, your participation in this research is very important. Your feedback will assist in understanding the effectiveness of the Australian Apprenticeships initiatives and how the global recession has impacted on the employment of apprentices. This information will help inform strategies to address the retention and growth of the apprenticeships sector.
The information provided in response to the surveys will be kept in the strictest confidence and will not affect any payments or services that the respondent may be receiving.
If you have any questions about these surveys, please contact The Social Research Centre on 1800 023 040 or the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations on 13 62 68.
Kickstart Mentoring initiative
On 17 May 2010, Deputy Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, Minister for Employment Participation, Mark Arbib, and Parliamentary Secretary for Employment, Jason Clare, announced the Kickstart Mentoring initiative.
The Kickstart Mentoring initiative will provide innovative and targeted mentoring services to Apprentice Kickstart Australian Apprentices* and Apprentice Kickstart Extension Australian Apprentices**. The additional services will be provided through selected Australian Apprenticeships Centres and will assist in increasing the retention rates and contributing to increased completion rates for Australian Apprentices who commenced their Australian Apprenticeship under the Apprentice Kickstart initiative or the Apprentice Kickstart Extension.
The Australian Government, through the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, is seeking proposals from current Australian Apprenticeships Centres to deliver Kickstart mentoring services from 1 July 2010 for a period of 12 months.
Australian Apprentices will be contacted by their Australian Apprenticeships Centre if they are eligible to receive the additional mentoring and support services.
* Apprentice Kickstart Australian Apprentices are defined as Australian Apprentices who commenced an Australian Apprenticeship between 1 December 2009 and 28 February 2010 in a Certificate III or IV level qualification that leads to a trade on the National Skills Needs List, and who were aged 19 years or under at the commencement of their Australian Apprenticeship.
** Apprentice Kickstart Extension Australian Apprentices are defined as Australian Apprentices who commenced an Australian Apprenticeship between 12 May 2010 and 12 November 2010 (inclusive) in a Certificate III or IV level qualification that leads to a trade on the National Skills Needs List and who were aged 19 years or under at the commencement of their Australian Apprenticeship. The Australian Apprentice’s employer must have fewer than 200 employees at the time the Australian Apprentice commences, or be an eligible Group Training Organisation.
The main Budget announcements commencing on 12 May 2010 include:
The Deputy Prime Minister has approved the allocation of $20 million for projects under the Increased Pre Apprenticeship Training Opportunities element of the Apprentice Kickstart package. The Australian Government is currently working with state and territory governments to finalise project details. Further information will be available shortly.
For information on the announcement, please refer to the Deputy Prime Minister's media release.
Australian Apprenticeships Taskforce - Final Report
On 7 December 2009, COAG agreed to ten recommendations made by the Australian Apprentices Taskforce. These agreed actions have a two-fold purpose and are designed to maximise the number of apprentices who commence and complete apprenticeships and strengthen the apprenticeship system more broadly. The implementation of these actions collectively will result in a national “best practice” apprenticeship system for the whole of Australia. The full Australian Apprentices Taskforce Report is available on the Publications page.
Nominations for the 2010 Australian Apprenticeships Roundtable
Nominations for membership of the 2010 Australian Apprenticeships Roundtable are now open.
For information about the Roundtable visit the 2010 Australian Apprenticeships Roundtable.
Minister’s Awards for Excellence for Employers of Australian Apprentices
**The Minister’s Awards for Excellence for Employers of Australian Apprentices category application round is open. The application form is now available to download.
For more information visit the Minister’s Awards for Excellence.
Learning or earning: New education and training requirements for 15 to 24 year olds
All governments in Australia have agreed to a Compact with Young Australians, which comprises a National Youth Participation (‘learn or earn’) Requirement for under 17 year olds; an entitlement to education or training places for 15 to 24 year olds; and changes to Youth Allowance (Other) and Family Tax Benefit (Part A) for young people aged under 21 without Year 12 or an equivalent qualification, making education and training a precondition for income support.
For more details, visit the DEEWR website.
Keep Australian Apprentices Working Roundtable
On 20 November, the Australian Government hosted the Keep Australian Apprentices Working Roundtable for industry to engage with the Government on strategies and immediate actions to ensure Australia plans for and builds the appropriate levels of skilled trade workers.
For more information see the media release.
Australian Youth Forum (AYF) Discussion topic - Apprenticeships and Trades Training
We are keen to know your experience with apprenticeships. The AYF is hosting ‘Apprenticeships and Trades Training’ as a discussion board topic from now until 30 November. Give your opinion on the AYF website if you are considering an apprenticeship, have an apprenticeship now or have completed an apprenticeship.
Today, the Deputy Prime Minister announced Apprentice Kickstart - a $100 million investment to support two measures designed to counteract the impact of the global recession on Australian Apprenticeships commencements and retention. It also aims to increase opportunities for young people to transition from school to trade training, improving their chances of engaging with long term employment.
The Apprentice Kickstart package introduces two initiatives: an $80 million time limited Apprentice Kickstart Bonus for employers of Australian Apprentices in skills shortage trades and $20 million to Increase Pre-Apprenticeship Training Opportunities.