MEDIA RELEASE
TRADITIONAL TRADES CAMPAIGN
27 June 2003 MIN 391/03
Channel Nine television personality Scott Cam from Backyard
Blitz and renowned Sydney chef Matt Moran are part of a new
Commonwealth Government advertising campaign highlighting the
opportunities offered by New Apprenticeships in traditional trades.
The campaign also features self-employed plumber Stuart Forsaith
and hair stylist and salon owner Renya Xydis.
Each employer tells their story of how a trade led to an
independent, financially rewarding and challenging career.
"I started off as an apprentice and you know, it’s put me
where I am today," said Backyard Blitz’s resident carpenter and
business owner Scott Cam.
The four, along with the New Apprentices they employ, are
inspiring real life examples of what people can achieve in these
vital career sectors which continue to provide the underpinning for
so much of Australia’s growth and prosperity.
The advertisements show how a New Apprenticeship in carpentry,
plumbing, hairdressing or commercial cookery can benefit employers
wanting to build the skills base of their business as well as
provide challenging and enjoyable careers for young people. It shows
young people combining flexible on-the-job training with direct work
experience.
"My mum’s pretty happy we’ve got a plumber in the house now,"
apprentice plumber Brad Dakin says in the advertisement.
Apprenticeships had slumped to 141,392 in 1996. There are now
more than 391,700 New Apprentices in training - a third of whom are
already employed in ‘trades and related occupations’ such as those
featured in the campaign. It is vital for Australia that this level
of participation is maintained and strengthened.
The ten-week campaign will run across Australia on television, in
print and the internet and coincides with the start of the New
Apprenticeships Support Services contract for 2003 - 2006. Under the
new contract, New Apprenticeships Centres will operate from a record
500 sites across Australia.
The Howard Government is committed to assisting
the 70% of young Australians who don’t go directly from school to
university to make informed decisions about their future.
For more information visit
www.newapprenticeships.gov.au after 2pm, or call 1800 639 629 for referral
to the New Apprenticeship Centre nearest you.
Media contact :
Dr Nelson’s Office: Ross Hampton 0419 484 095
Dept of Education, Science & Training: Leah Bell 0412 718 447
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