IntoWork Australia welcomes wage subsidy support for employers

IntoWork Australia welcomes wage subsidy support for employers.

IntoWork Australia has welcomed the Morrison government’s announcement that a wage subsidy will be provided to employers who start or recommence an apprentice or trainee in the coming year.

Announced yesterday, the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements wage subsidy will provide support for new and cancelled or suspended apprentices or trainees that recommence.

“This subsidy addresses the needs of apprentices, trainees and businesses who were not eligible for the assistance provided by the Supporting Apprentices and Trainees (SAT) subsidy” said Poul Bottern, Group CEO of IntoWork Australia.

“By enabling employers to take on new apprentices or recommence apprentices or trainees, the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements wage subsidy will help to avoid skills shortages as we begin to recover from the impact of the pandemic” he said.

As the driving force behind the largest Group Training Organisations in Australia including AGA, MRAEL, HTN, CTC, Work & Training and Kestrel, IntoWork is heavily invested in ensuring the apprentices and trainees they currently employ are able to complete their qualifications and lead industry recovery.

“Existing wage subsidies have done a great job in stabilising apprentice and trainee numbers, allowing them to continue working, continue training and get qualified” said Mr. Bottern, “while this new initiative is encouraging others seeking employment to pursue an apprenticeship or traineeship.”

Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) provider MAS National, also part of IntoWork Australia, has provided assistance to employers, apprentices and trainees claiming the SAT and will continue to provide this essential support for the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements wage subsidy.

With the announcement of the new subsidy comes more certainty for employers.

“Access to employment is an essential part of an apprenticeship or traineeship” said Mr. Bottern, “and the additional 100,000 wage subsidy places on offer will provide employers with confidence to start new apprentices or trainees in the coming weeks and months.”

“As an organisation with the scale and reach that we have, IntoWork welcomes the support on offer and the invaluable assistance it provides the employers, apprentices and trainees we support through our GTOs, AASN and other training and recruitment services” said Mr. Bottern.

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