"Ai Group welcomes the Federal Government’s announcement of wage subsidies for up to 100,000 new apprentices and trainees. This announcement is line with Ai Group’s call to extensively support the commencement of new apprentice and trainees by providing subsidies to employers," Innes Willox Chief Executive of the national employer association Ai Group said today.
"Broadening the apprentice and trainee wage subsidy is a very important step in giving young people, especially school leavers, the best possible chance at gaining a foothold in a very difficult labour market.
"The wage subsidy will also provide strong support for employers to take on new apprentices and trainees, particularly at a time when the economic recovery is uneven and uncertain. The 50% wage subsidy of up $7,000 per quarter will make a significant difference for an employer deciding whether to commence a new apprentice or not. Access to the subsidy regardless of industry and geography is also important and in line with Ai Group’s recommendations. This $1.2 billion measure is on top of the $2.8 billion already invested in previous Supporting Apprentices and Trainees Wage Subsidies.
"The Government is to be congratulated for ensuring that the Australian Apprenticeship and Traineeship system is strongly supported in difficult times. Many will benefit from this, most notably young people gaining that important apprenticeship or traineeship opportunity and employers, by investing in the development of skilled workers.
"Skills will be central to our post-COVID economic recovery. Ensuring a strong apprenticeship and traineeship system is a vital foundation to ensuring a continuous supply of skilled workers for years to come," Mr Willox said.
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