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Media Centre$46 MILLION GROUP TRAINING INITIATIVE10 May 2005 MINBUD 10/05 Minister for Vocational and Technical Education, Gary Hardgrave, said skills needs in the trades will be further targeted through a new programme announced today, which sees an extra $45.9 million provided over four years through group training arrangements. "This Programme forms part of the Australian Government’s response to current skills needs in the trades by getting people to complete a New Apprenticeship," Mr Hardgrave said. Mr Hardgrave said the Group Training in the Trades programme, to begin on 1 July 2005, will assist 11,500 people nationally over the next four years to undertake a New Apprenticeship in the trades, either through obtaining a School-Based New Apprenticeship or by completing pre-vocational training that prepares individuals to take up a New Apprenticeship. The Australian Government will contract organisations across Australia with strong links to, or prior experience in, group training to act as regional brokers to manage the delivery of the programme. "This kind of training support provides a valuable service to small and medium sized businesses, with the Group Training Organisation taking on the employer responsibilities for New Apprentices’ employment and training. These organisations also manage the additional care and support necessary for trainees to successfully complete their training," Mr Hardgrave said. "Initiatives under this programme will form part of a comprehensive strategy to address skills needs," Mr Hardgrave said. "The Programme will complement existing ones by providing pre-vocational training to people who may not be able to participate in the New Apprenticeships Access Programme, and it will support the uptake of School-Based New Apprenticeships in areas that will not be immediately covered by Australian Technical Colleges. "There has recently been a surge in interest in traditional trades, with commencements in trades and related New Apprenticeships increasing by 19% in the year to September 2004. "The Group Training in the Trades programme will be ideally placed to capitalise on this interest to ensure that we achieve further increases in New Apprenticeships in the trades, and in doing so, meet the skills needs of Australian industry over the coming years."
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