BUSY At Work CEO Paul Miles has expressed support of the Federal Government’s decision to extend the Apprentice Kickstart Incentive today to include engineering trades describing it as exciting news for employers.
“This is great news for the engineering sector. This increased support will go a long way to help boost areas hit hard by the skills shortage,” he said.
“This new initiative will help give jobs to a new generation of budding engineers and shows that the government puts a high value on support for small to medium sized businesses.
“The more opportunities we can give young people to start a career as an apprentice the better we’ll be in the future.
“Engineering trades are very popular and I think we’ll see a lot of businesses take up this offer.”
The incentive is designed to boost employment and kick start industries affected by the skill shortage.
“Local businesses will need to be quick to take advantage of the extra funding,” Mr Miles said.
The Apprentice Kickstart Incentive offers employers of new apprentices a cash bonus of $3350 if they take on a new apprentice before February 28. This is in addition to the $1500 commencement payment for eligible employers.
“We’re seeing some employers who will receive up to $12,000 in government funding for taking on a new apprentice,” Mr Miles said.
“That support can go a long way in a small business.”
He also urged companies to make themselves available for those hoping to further their skills.
“For businesses thinking of putting on a young apprentice – there’s no better time than now,” he said.
Employers must meet eligibility requirements under the Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program to qualify for Kickstart. To receive the incentive businesses will need to have less than 200 staff and the qualification needs to be certificate III or IV qualification in trades listed on the National Skills Needs List
The engineering trades now available for the new Kickstart incentive are:
- Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Avionics)
- Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Mechanical)
- Fitter (General)
- Fitter and Turner
- Fitter-Welder
- Metal Fabricator
- Metal Machinist (First Class)
- Pressure Welder
- Toolmaker
About BUSY At Work
BUSY At Work is a not-for-profit organisation within apprenticeships and employment and has played a key role in growing apprenticeship and traineeship numbers throughout Queensland.
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