Australia’s embarking on a massive recruitment push for new apprentices, as New South Wales signs on to the Turnbull Government’s Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) National Partnership Agreement.
Assistant Minister for Vocational Education and Skills, Karen Andrews said the signing of a National Partnership Agreement with the New South Wales Government is a positive step for the vocational education and skills sector.
An estimated $1.5 billion will be provided through the SAF in vocational education and training (VET) programs around the country, aimed at creating up to 300,000 additional apprenticeships and traineeships.
The SAF agreement will see the states and territories match federal investment to boost VET and grow apprenticeship numbers.
“New South Wales will benefit with many thousands of new opportunities for apprenticeships and vocational education,” Minister Andrews said.
“Funding of the SAF agreement will help arrest the decline in apprentices and trainees that began in 2012 under the previous Government.”
NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Skills John Barilaro said the NSW Liberals and Nationals Governments’ commitment to skilling the state’s future workforce is second to none.
“I congratulate the Commonwealth Government on working with the NSW Liberals and Nationals to deliver this landmark funding agreement,” Mr Barilaro said.
“The NSW Government is building the infrastructure that will carry NSW into the future and with that comes the opportunity for young Australian’s to train in a career that will support them for life.
“More students, parents and teachers are realising that VET opens doors to rewarding careers and lifestyles.”
Mr Barilaro said the NSW Government’s Smart and Skilled program has restored trust in the VET sector and opened subsidised training courses to many apprentices and trainees, which lead directly to employment opportunities.
“The new SAF funding will continue to support employers to meet their growing need for qualified skilled apprentices and trainees.
“It will also help us as a Government deliver on our record investment in infrastructure projects throughout this state.
“The partnership announced with the Federal Government guarantees NSW will continue to have a trusted and high quality VET sector giving young workers the opportunities and training they need to build a rewarding career,” he said.
New South Wales will collect a per capita share of the $50 million sign-on payment, which the Government announced in the May Budget.
“New South Wales has been dealing with skills shortages across a range of areas, but the Turnbull Government is committed to addressing this, and working alongside the New South Wales government to see more Australians skilled for the future,” Minister Andrews said.
“The Turnbull Government will be working with New South Wales to identify projects to jointly fund and I’m looking forward to seeing the number of apprentices and trainees growing in the coming months and years.”
“The Turnbull Government stands ready to work collaboratively with all states and territories to build the number of Australian apprentices and trainees, and ensure that Australia’s skills needs are met.”
