The NSW Government has scrapped apprenticeship fees for 120 courses, including multiple qualifications in print.
Cert III Printing, Print Manufacturing, and Print Communications are on the list, along with Print Machinist, Graphic Pre-Press Trade Workers, Design and Layout, and Print Finishing.
While the fees were previously capped at $2000 per student, the NSW Government is now paying the full cost, meaning students wanting to undertake print apprenticeships from July 1 will not be paying any costs at all. The subsidies will cover students studying through Tafe NSW, and private training organisations.
Paul Mitchell, national workplace relations manager, Printing Industries Association of Australia, says, “I think there needs to be more financial support for businesses, they need to be encouraged to take on apprentices. Our members have been struggling to find students interested in print. The announcement will help get the supply of young people entering apprenticeships up, now we have to encourage them to move into print.
“Businesses need to be supported in taking on apprentices, so we will continue lobbying for that.
“I think other states will follow the lead of NSW. What you will see is more young people looking at apprentice options based on the fact they are now free to get into.
“South Australia for instance has an aggressive target of 20,000 apprentices in the next four years under the Marshall Government. The education department was very keen to encourage young people to go down the apprenticeship model and incentivise them to consider apprenticeships rather than university or other employment.”
Andrew Macaulay, CEO, PIAA, says, “The wheels of Government turn slowly, but our members and the Industry should be proud of its Association and the work we have done to win this policy outcome.
“Paul Mitchell has been instrumental in seeing this change through, he has opened doors where others could not get in.
“This decision endorses and demonstrates the value that industry gets from being members of their Industry Association. A stronger printing association means stronger outcomes for the printing industry.”
A spokesperson from the NSW Department of Industry clarified to Australian Printer, “Currently fees for apprenticeship qualifications are capped at $2000. What we are doing is removing the need for that fee.
“From July 1, apprentices can take up their qualifications for free.
“We have a training subsidy framework called Smart and Skilled, what we call a contestable training framework, which means there is competition in the market for subsidised training, so TAFE and non-TAFE providers can compete for those funds.
“If the training is funding as part of that programme, then any apprentices doing courses under that programme can have their fees waived.”
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