The South Australian Business Chamber Chief Executive Nigel McBride said a key to the initiative’s success was the State Government’s commitment to work with employers, industry associations, group training organisations and training providers to determine which projects are funded.
“Over the last six years there has been a steady decline of traineeship and apprenticeship numbers and we are confident the $202m partnership with both the State and Federal governments will be a step toward increasing the number of participants in the VET system,” Mr McBride said.
“We welcome the increased support for more courses and are pleased there will be greater subsidies across 74 courses in specific priority areas.”
Mr McBride said the of target of 20,800 new apprenticeships and traineeships was a big commitment, which would require significant industry participation and the ability to support specific groups such as those in the 21 to 24-year-old demographic, Aboriginal apprentices and women in non-traditional trades.
Mr McBride said the South Australian Business Chamber supported the proposed evidence-based application process, which would see group training organisations, businesses, training providers and industry associations vying for funding to take on the apprentices or trainees. The State Government will also work with industry sectors to determine projects and future workforce needs.
The funding will also go towards helping trainees and apprentices buy much-needed equipment, when cost was often a barrier to training.
He said the state should be praised for recognising the importance of the vocational education and training sector, in meeting our future skilled workforce needs.
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