The number of apprentices and trainees signed up since the commencement of the Commonwealth Government’s Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements (BAC) wage subsidy program has reached more than 180,000.
Senator Michaelia Cash recently provided in the Senate the latest enrolment numbers under the program, which provides a 50 per cent wage subsidy for employers who take on new apprentices or trainees.
Over the past few years, annual commencement numbers have hovered at around 150,000 to 160,000, so this number, marking commencements since the program was announced in October (that is, about 10 months), represents a significant increase.
Other factors may have influenced the big increase, such as the lack of skilled migration and the economic recovery the country enjoyed before the latest lockdowns, however the subsidy has undoubtedly influenced employment choices.
The BAC program will run, uncapped, until March 2022. Employers who commence eligible apprentices and trainees before that time will be paid the wage subsidy (capped at $7,000 per quarter) for a full 12 months from the time of sign-up.
Ai Group Apprentice and Trainee Centre can assist with employment options, otherwise contact an Apprentice Support Network provider for more information.
