Tens of thousands of new job opportunities will be created for apprentices and trainees across Australia with the expansion of the targeted wage subsidy program as part of the Morrison Government’s National Economic Recovery Plan.
The Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements (BAC) wage subsidy program is fully subscribed, helping to create 100,000 apprenticeships in less than five months.
The program will now become demand-driven and expanded for a full 12 months for new apprentices and trainees signed up before September 30.
It is estimated that this demand-driven expansion will generate around 70,000 new apprentice and trainee places, with the government investing around $1.2 billion.
Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor said that the BAC has already supported 545 apprentices and trainees in his electorate, which stretches from Goulburn to Camden.
“With a 50 percent wage subsidy for 12 months on offer for your business, there has never been a better time to sign up an apprentice,” Mr Taylor said.
“The BAC program has to date assisted almost 40,000 businesses to take on a new Australian apprentice or trainee.
“By expanding this wage subsidy for another 12 months, we’ll be helping local businesses to create even more jobs.”
The BAC was one of the Covid-19 skills measures announced as part of the $4 billion in apprentice wage subsidies.
The Morrison Government is providing record levels of support to the vocational education and training sector in 2020-21, which is not only helping rebuild the economy but preparing for the future.
This includes the $1 billion JobTrainer Fund supporting more than 300,000 additional free or low-fee training places for job seekers and young people.
Further information on the support available to eligible businesses and employees is available at https://www.dese.gov.au/boosting-apprenticeship-commencements
