Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology apprentice Mr Kyal Gunn is the one-millionth apprentice to be signed up with Apprenticeship Network Provider MEGT.
Assistant Minister for Vocational Education and Skills Karen Andrews was in Docklands, Melbourne today to mark the significant milestone for Kyal and MEGT.
“MEGT is the largest contracted provider of support services to employers of apprentices and trainees in Australia. It has been providing Australian Apprenticeships Support services since 1998,” Minister Andrews said.
“I congratulate MEGT on supporting one million apprentices over the past two decades—it is an astounding achievement. The work of providers like MEGT is integral to the success of the Australian Vocational Education Training system.
“As a member of the Australian Apprenticeships Support Services network, MEGT provides support every step of the way for prospective apprentices including pre-commencement advice and targeted, in-training support throughout an apprenticeship.”
The sign up of MEGT’s one-millionth apprentice comes as the Australian Government celebrates 20 years of support for Australian Apprenticeships. During this period, the Government provided $9 billion to assist businesses to take on apprentices.
MEGT CEO David Windridge said his organisation was there at the beginning of the Australian Apprenticeships program in 1998 and has gone from strength to strength over that time.
“Through the promotion of vocational education and training, the program has enabled MEGT to provide valuable links between employers, job seekers and training organisations in our local communities, developing real skills and delivering real career opportunities,” said
Mr Windridge.
“From humble beginnings to our one-millionth sign-up, MEGT is thrilled to be celebrating this milestone at the same time we mark the 20th anniversary of the program itself.
“It has allowed us a presence in metropolitan, rural and regional areas across every state in Australia, and the ACT. With Australian Government support over the last two decades, we’ve been able to reach remote and indigenous communities, where we can ensure young job seekers have the same access to employment and training opportunities as their peers in metro areas.”
Mr Gunn said he was “stoked to be the one-millionth apprentice”.
“I love working with my hands and I’ve always wanted to be a mechanic, so doing an apprenticeship was a great chance to do what I enjoy—to learn skills I need for my career and to get paid at the same time. I want to work in motorsports one day and this has really given me a head start,” Mr Gunn said.
The Australian Government is committed to building a high quality Australian Apprenticeship system that better supports apprentices, responds to the needs of employers and the economy and is investing up to $190 million a year through the network.
The Skilling Australians Fund is also contributing an estimated $1.5 billion until 2021-22 to add an extra 300,000 apprentices to the Australian workforce.