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Apprenticeship wage subsidy scheme extended by 70k new places

  • March 10 2021
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Apprenticeship wage subsidy scheme extended by 70k new places

By Maja Garaca Djurdjevic
March 10 2021

The wage subsidy scheme for apprentices and trainees has officially been extended by another year, a move that is expected to generate around 70,000 new apprentice and trainee places.

Apprenticeship wage subsidy scheme extended by 70k new places

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  • March 10 2021
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The wage subsidy scheme for apprentices and trainees has officially been extended by another year, a move that is expected to generate around 70,000 new apprentice and trainee places.

Apprenticeship wage subsidy scheme

The federal government has announced a $1.2 billion investment to expand its Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements wage subsidy program for a full 12 months for new apprentices and trainees signed up prior to 30 September 2021.

According to the Prime Minister, the scheme had reached its limit and has helped to create 100,000 apprenticeships in less than five months. As such, the cap is now being removed, providing assurance to employers who are eligible but missed out on a place in the initial 100,000 limit cap.

“Creating jobs, generating economic opportunities and boosting the skills of workers right across Australia are at the heart of our National Economic Recovery Plan as we build back from the COVID-19 recession,” Scott Morrison said in a statement on Tuesday.

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“With 100,000 new apprenticeship positions already snapped up, it highlights the confidence businesses have in the future of the Australian economy,” he added.

Apprenticeship wage subsidy scheme

The program launched at the height of the COVID crisis was a means for the government to secure work for apprentices to keep the economy ticking through the worst crisis it had seen in decades.

It is also said to have assisted almost 40,000 businesses to take on new Australian apprentices or trainees, helping the creation of more than 8,000 bricklayers, 6,000 electricians, and almost 11,000 people in retail and hospitality work. 

But the program’s extension comes as questions around ongoing support for businesses are being raised, with JobKeeper due to be wound back at the end of the month.

Speaking on Sky News, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg refused to confirm aviation grants and interest-free business loans are being implemented, but confirmed “we’re still working through the final details of that package”.

“The Prime Minister, myself, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Tourism and Trade Minister will have more to say in coming days,” Mr Frydenberg said.

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About the author

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Maja Garaca Djurdjevic is the editor of nestegg and Smart Property Investment. Email Maja at [email protected]

About the author

author image
Maja Garaca Djurdjevic

Maja Garaca Djurdjevic is the editor of nestegg and Smart Property Investment. Email Maja at [email protected]

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