MORE than 20,000 additional work-based apprenticeships and traineeships will be created in South Australia over the next four years thanks to a major funding agreement struck by the State Government.
The announcement delivers on a key election promise and unlocks at least $87m from the Federal Government’s Skilling Australians Fund that will complement $100m of State Government funding.
South Australia is the first state to sign-up to the Skilling Australians Fund and negotiations are under way to secure further federal government skills funding.
“Apprenticeships are vital to building a skilled supply of workers for industry and this has never been more important as we move to a more diversified economy and to capitalise on major, long-term national defence contracts awarded to South Australia,” Mr Marshall said.
There were 14,725 apprentices and trainees in-training in South Australia at the end of last year – down from 30,690 in 2013, according to data from the National Centre for Vocational Education and Research.
The State Government policy also includes streamlining the registration process for employers to hire apprentices and flexible apprenticeship pathways for starting full-time work in Year 12 while still completing SACE.
Employers and apprentices will have access to the program from July.
“The Marshall Liberal Government is committed to assisting more local businesses have the ability and the confidence to take on apprentices and trainees, which will not only add value to their operations but the entire state,” Industry and Skills Minister David Pisoni said.
