Mr NATT - 2005-08-17
Having come from a trades background myself via a fitting and turning apprenticeship, I am pleased to hear the Martin government has committed to skilling Territorians and encouraging the take-up of apprenticeships and traineeships over the next four years. Can you please advise the House what incentives the government has in place to support apprenticeships and trainees on commencement?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Drysdale for his question. The question of skills shortages nationally is certainly high on the agenda of all governments across Australia, the Commonwealth government included.
Under Jobs Plan 2, we have taken another step to get more people into apprenticeships and traineeships. We recognise that apprenticeships, particularly in those traditional - or what we might term the hard trades – areas do require people to make a solid and significant commitment that takes a few years to pay off. If they can keep their eye on the main game, the rewards are there in the long run for those who get through the trades apprenticeship.
In recognition, first, of the need to assist young Territorians with the expenses incurred when embarking on apprenticeships/traineeships, we have invested $1.4m in the Workwear/Workgear Bonus, which will see all Territorians who undertake an apprenticeship or traineeship benefit. We envisage that bonus would be used for the purchase of safety clothing, uniforms, tools, or simply for a student finishing high school and going into the work force for the first time, who has not had much part-time work and not much money and is required to be in a presentable fashion, to buy clothes for work.
That bonus was announced as part of Jobs Plan 2 in budget 2005-06. It applies to all new apprentices and trainees commenced on or after 4 April 2005. The payment of $1000 to apprentices in those skills shortage trades, and $300 to other apprentices and trainees, recognises that the costs incurred by the apprentices taking up the traditional trades are going to normally be somewhat higher than costs incurred by apprentices and trainees in the non-traditional trades - in fact, those who are only going through a 12-month traineeship.
Apprentices/trainees are required to complete a three-month probationary period to become eligible for the bonus. I am pleased to advise that, up to date, 19 of those bonuses have been taken up in the skills shortage areas, and 24 have been taken up by apprentices and trainees in other skilled areas. It is there to assist. If it is a further incentive for youngsters to get into traineeships and apprenticeships, so much the better. We have to do our bit in overcoming the national skills shortages, and this is one of the government’s responses to it.
Mr HENDERSON (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Drysdale for his question. The question of skills shortages nationally is certainly high on the agenda of all governments across Australia, the Commonwealth government included.
Under Jobs Plan 2, we have taken another step to get more people into apprenticeships and traineeships. We recognise that apprenticeships, particularly in those traditional - or what we might term the hard trades – areas do require people to make a solid and significant commitment that takes a few years to pay off. If they can keep their eye on the main game, the rewards are there in the long run for those who get through the trades apprenticeship.
In recognition, first, of the need to assist young Territorians with the expenses incurred when embarking on apprenticeships/traineeships, we have invested $1.4m in the Workwear/Workgear Bonus, which will see all Territorians who undertake an apprenticeship or traineeship benefit. We envisage that bonus would be used for the purchase of safety clothing, uniforms, tools, or simply for a student finishing high school and going into the work force for the first time, who has not had much part-time work and not much money and is required to be in a presentable fashion, to buy clothes for work.
That bonus was announced as part of Jobs Plan 2 in budget 2005-06. It applies to all new apprentices and trainees commenced on or after 4 April 2005. The payment of $1000 to apprentices in those skills shortage trades, and $300 to other apprentices and trainees, recognises that the costs incurred by the apprentices taking up the traditional trades are going to normally be somewhat higher than costs incurred by apprentices and trainees in the non-traditional trades - in fact, those who are only going through a 12-month traineeship.
Apprentices/trainees are required to complete a three-month probationary period to become eligible for the bonus. I am pleased to advise that, up to date, 19 of those bonuses have been taken up in the skills shortage areas, and 24 have been taken up by apprentices and trainees in other skilled areas. It is there to assist. If it is a further incentive for youngsters to get into traineeships and apprenticeships, so much the better. We have to do our bit in overcoming the national skills shortages, and this is one of the government’s responses to it.
Mr HENDERSON (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Written Question Paper.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016