Ai Group receives funding to boost apprenticeship completion rates

The Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) is teaming up with the federal government to address poor apprenticeship completion rates. Minister for Skills Chris Evans announced a $3.1 million support and mentoring package that aims to improve completion rates for apprentices in the manufacturing industry.

Ai Group will receive $2.3 million to establish an apprenticeship adviser network, while a further $790,000 will go towards targeted mentoring and assistance to improve apprenticeship retention rates.

“Mentoring is a proven way to increase retention rates and improve apprentices’ experience with the system,” Evans said. “There is a strong emphasis on first-year apprentices who are most at risk of withdrawing.

“The network of advisers helps potential apprentices, particularly school leavers, to choose the field that suits them best, giving them insight into the industries and occupations they’re considering,” Evans said.

“For too long there has been much talk about improving Australia’s apprenticeship system but little more has been achieved than tinkering at the edges. Ai Group is creating a model whereby apprentices progress through all components of their apprenticeship both on the job and off the job by demonstrating competency and proficiency along the way,” said Innes Willox, Ai Group CEO.

“Despite years of reform in the training system, apprenticeship arrangements have continued to be bound by the time-based arrangements of yesteryear. Ai Group’s individual progression model breaks through the old approach in a way that benefits all.”

The advisers will be based in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Wollongong, Newcastle, Albury-Wodonga, Ballarat and Bendigo.

“Ten registered training providers across six states will be involved in this project over a three-year period,” Willox said. “All registered training organisations have committed to this new approach across their entire cohort of apprentices in the engineering trades. These trades typically include maintenance fitters, boilermakers, machinists, sheetmetal workers and foundry trades.

“This major project will be complemented by two further projects. The first project will provide nine Manufacturing Apprenticeship Advisers to promote and facilitate uptake in key trades in the manufacturing and engineering industries. New apprentices will be supported by four Apprenticeship Mentors, focusing upon support and development of success strategies to assist successful outcomes for individuals, as well as lifting overall completion rates,” said Willox.