The 23-24 federal budget included a welcome boost to apprenticeship support services funding, taking total investment to $1.1billion over the next five years. This represents an increase of $54.3m which will be used to rebalance and strengthen assistance for apprentices and trainees by implementing a new model of support.
Key features of the new model are:
• Structured assessment on commencement and earlier referral to the specialist services apprentices need to succeed.
• Enhanced mentoring for apprentices and trainees with additional barriers to completion, such as women in non-traditional trades and first nations apprentices
• More face to face contact with apprentices to check on progress, especially in the first two years.
• Specialist supports for apprentices in key priority areas such as having a pipeline of skilled workers to reach Net Zero targets.
• Increasing participation of women in non-traditional trades, with annual increases in participation through the Australian Skills Guarantee
• Streamlined claims processing and program administration through the Apprenticeship Data Management System.
The budget measures announced tonight respond to an extensive and ongoing process of consultation, thoughtfully integrating additional supports for those most in need. They form part of building a stronger, more responsive skills and training sector fit for purpose to support our economic transitions ahead.
See more here:NAAA Budget 23-24 Press Release
