Queensland Government plan that gives employers an incentive to take on school-based apprentices.
Premier Campbell Newman and Education, Training and Employment Minister John-Paul Langbroek said there were many benefits to taking on a trade, both for students and the wider Queensland economy.
“The School to Trade Pathway incentive encourages employers to take on a school-based apprentice and retain them in a full-time apprenticeship after they finish school,” said Mr Newman.
“Thousands of jobs are already being created under this Government, but there is more to do and we know that improving prospects for our students is the best way to give them a brighter future.”
Mr Langbroek said the School to Trade Pathway incentive would benefit apprentices, employers, and Queensland as a whole.
“For students it means more opportunities to enter a full-time apprenticeship directly after school, gaining hands-on experience and training with an employer and a leg up towards a career or perhaps even a business of their own one day,” Mr Langbroek said.
The School to Trade Pathway incentive is an initiative outlined in Great Skills Real Opportunities, the Queensland Government’s reform action plan for further education and training. The initiative aims to generate additional apprenticeships by providing employers with an incentive to create meaningful and long-term employment pathways, allowing school-based apprentices to continue their apprenticeship and employment after completing school.
Originally a $10 million initiative over two years, it has recently been extended for a further year with an increased budget of $15 million.
BUSY At Work CEO, Paul Miles commended the School to Trade Pathway Incentive saying it provided real opportunities through career pathways.
“The Government’s commitment to invest into the School to Trade Pathway Incentive provides employers with up to $5000 to commence a school-based apprentice and retain them in a full time apprenticeship after they finish school,” said Mr Miles.
“BUSY At Work’s focus is on creating sustainable outcomes with apprenticeships through retention and completion so we welcome this program.”
“This is an excellent initiative committed by the government which not only addresses our skills shortages, it also provides real outcomes designed to create long term employment based on skills pathways for students completing school.”
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MEDIA CONTACT: Leanne Macnamara, Public Relations Coordinator 0438 173 960 leanne.macnamara@busyatwork.com.au
