Budget 2013-14: regional funding for apprentices

Australians looking for work and businesses looking for apprentices in areas doing it tough will benefit from an extra $19.2m from the Australian Government to better link job seekers with employers.

The Australian Government will continue to invest in ensuring that rural and regional businesses can attract the skilled workers they need to keep their local economies and communities strong, said Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Bill Shorten and Minister for Employment Participation Kate Ellis.

“The Australian Government knows how important apprentices are to the future of high-skill industries. And we know how hard it can be for businesses such as mines and farms in rural and remote parts of Australia to attract skilled workers.

“That’s why we are investing $3.5 million in this very practical and targeted measure to help these industries attract more apprentices and workers to those parts of Australia that lie beyond the big cities. The government will provide up to $6500 for families and $4500 for individuals to move.

“Added to the challenges of remoteness, our regional businesses also have to adapt to the new competitive environment of the Asian Century. This is further exacerbating skills shortages, which businesses in rural and regional Australia have always had to deal with.

The government has also announced it will provide an extra $15.7m to ensure Local Employment Coordinators can continue to work with local employers, employment and training providers, community groups and all levels of government to deliver local outcomes in the 20 Priority Employment Areas across Australia. Ellis said the funding will also deliver a further 10 Jobs and Skills Expos to be held across Australia during the financial year.

“This government’s Jobs and Skills Expos have connected more than 26,800 people with employment and training opportunities in less than four years.

“The expos, coupled with the work of our Local Employment Coordinators are helping local businesses and communities come up with solutions to local problems,” Ellis said.