The 50 per cent apprentice and trainee wage subsidy will be extended for another 12 months, Prime Minister Scott Morrison says.
The subsidy was announced in July last year and was expected to end at the end of March, in line with the cessation of JobKeeper payments.
But under the new arrangements anyone who signs up an apprentice or trainee before September 30, 2021 will be able to have 12 months worth of their wages subsidised by 50 per cent.
So far the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements wage subsidy has helped create 100,000 apprenticeships and is fully subscribed. Under the new arrangement, the number of apprentices and trainees that can be covered by the wage support will not be capped.
“Creating jobs, generating economic opportunities and boosting the skills of workers right across Australia are at the heart of our National Economic Recovery Plan, as we build back from the COVID-19 recession,” Morrison said.
“Last week’s National Accounts showed the comeback of the Australian economy is underway, however many businesses still need support and it’s important our apprentices and trainees get opportunities to boost their skills and stay employed.
“With 100,000 new apprenticeship positions already snapped up, it highlights the confidence businesses have in the future of the Australian economy.”
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said many businesses still need support and it is important that trainees and apprentices continue to have opportunities to upskill and stay employed.
Michaelia Cash, Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business said this will help more people into jobs.
“Growing our skills pipeline is an incredibly important part of helping our economic recovery,” Cash said.
“The Boosting Apprentices Commencement program has to date assisted almost 40,000 businesses to take on a new Australian apprentice or trainee.
“This initiative has supported the creation of more than 8,000 bricklayers, 6,000 electricians, and almost 11,000 people in retail and hospitality work.
“I’m so pleased that we’ve helped create 100,000 new registered apprentice and trainee places so far and we intend to help even more people get the chance to upskill or reskill.
“By expanding this wage subsidy for another 12 months, we’ll be helping businesses to create even more jobs, further supporting our National Economic Recovery Plan for Australia.”
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