PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) has welcomed a decision by the federal government to expand support for apprenticeships, saying it will secure more commencements and completions delivering the skills the economy needs.

Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Businesses Stuart Robert this week announced that the A$3.9-billion Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements programme will extend support into the second and third year of an eligible Australian Apprenticeship through the A$716-million Completing Apprenticeship Commencements programme. 

Under the new changes, from October 2021, eligible employers will receive a 10% wage subsidy in the second year of an eligible apprenticeship, and 5% in the third year. The government’s investment is expected to continue to support the 270 000 anticipated commencements under the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements programme from October 2020 to March 2022. 

Robert said the new Completing Apprenticeship Commencements programme will help maintain a pipeline of skilled workers right across the economy with 348 200 Australians training as at June 2021, 30% more than the previous 12 months.  

“The decision to extend wage support in the second and third year of an apprenticeship recognises the investment by businesses in apprentices and the long-term economic benefits of lifting workforce skills,” said MCA CEO Tania Constable.

“The successful Boosting Apprenticeship Commencement programme has contributed to an increase in apprenticeships and the subsequent announcement of the Completing Apprenticeship Commencements programme will help convert them into fully qualified tradies.

“The mining industry has already committed to creating 5 000 new apprenticeships over the next few years and the announcement today will help the sector achieve that commitment sooner. Already, the mining industry has supported an additional 1 500 new apprenticeships,” Constable said.

She noted that this number would be further boosted when the Mining Skills Organisation Pilot is fully operational at the end of 2021.