There will be an unprecedented level of support for apprentices in tomorrow’s 2018-19 NSW Budget, Northern Tablelands Member and Minister responsible for TAFE NSW Adam Marshall announced today.
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The NSW Government will offer 100,000 free apprenticeships, to ensure a strong pipeline of skilled workers across the state.
Mr Marshall said this new $285 million skills and training package meant that as of 1 July, free apprenticeships will be offered to newly enrolled apprentices in any course.
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“Today’s announcement is all about building up the workforce that will help us capitalise on our record infrastructure program in the Northern Tablelands and across the State and in turn deliver a generation of skilled workers,” Mr Marshall said.
“This means that from next month anyone in our region and undertake and complete a full trade qualification as a plumber, electrician, hairdresser, carpenter, builder, mechanic, just to name a few, without spending a single cent.
“They’ll walk out of training and straight into a job in our region without incurring any expense or any debt.
“This is brilliant news for young people in particular, who often baulk at the $2,000 cost of an apprenticeship, and removes the last remaining barrier to people getting the training and skills they need to get a job.”
Mr Marshall said the government had already created the positions for apprentices, by ensuring 20 per cent of trade roles on all future government projects would be filled by apprentices.
He said the State and the region needed more apprentices to ensure a strong pipeline of skilled workers for the job market.
“We know that without skilled workers, our region’s economy will stall,” Mr Marshall said.
“The single biggest threat to any of the big projects across our region is not having the workforce to deliver it. You can have the money to spend, but if you don’t have the skilled workers to actually bring the projects to life, it all counts for nothing.
“This sort of free training offer has never been made before, so I encourage people thinking about skilling up, or starting a new career to make the most of it.”
Mr Marshall said TAFE campuses across the region has “geared up” ready to accommodate additional apprentices.
The 100,000 free apprenticeships will be on offer over the next four years and include all 121 courses currently subsidised under the NSW Smart and Skilled program.
For more information, including details about how to enrol from 1 July, please www.smartandskilled.nsw.gov.au.
