Source: Media release – Senator the Hon Mark Arbib,
Minister for Employment Participation, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Government Service Delivery
Minister for Employment Participation Mark Arbib today announced that a surge of apprentice signings in the final month of the Apprentice Kickstart program saw the Government’s target of 21,000 surpassed by more than 1000.
Speaking at Group Training Australia’s National Conference in Adelaide, Senator Arbib said the figures were a vote of confidence in the Australian economy by employers.
He also praised Group Training Australia and other industry groups for their work in supporting the program.
Senator Arbib said the Rudd Government was dedicated to the task of training young Australians and boosting apprenticeships was vital for the future prosperity of the country.
“The Kickstart program exceeded its target of signing up 21,000 apprentices in three months and 22,049 apprentices have now commenced an apprenticeship across Australia,” Senator Arbib said.
“Overall apprenticeship commencements are recovering as we emerge from the global recession.
“Maintaining and increasing apprentice numbers is critical to the future of our country. There are more than 70 major resource projects on the drawing board across Australia that will need in the vicinity of 80,000 workers during the construction phase.”
The Rudd Government introduced the Kickstart Program on December 1, 2009, in response to apprentice commencements falling by around 10,000 due to the Global Financial Crisis.
Under the Kickstart program, the Government more than tripled the commencement bonus for employers in the first year, from $1500 to $4850.
More information on Australian Apprenticeships is available by calling 13 38 73 or at www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au. For further information on Group Training Australia Ltd or Group Training arrangements, visit www.gtaltd.com.au.
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