The federal government will invest $200 million each year to establish a new Australian Apprenticeship Support Network to lift apprenticeship completion rates.
The Australian Apprenticeship Support Network will give young Australians the best opportunity to get a job and provide employers with the skilled and productive employees they need to grow their business.
Apprentices will be assisted to find an employer to begin their apprenticeship and receive mentoring through to the successful completion of their apprenticeship.
Apprentices will be able to access career advice with dedicated support outside their workplace throughout their apprenticeship.
The new Australian Apprenticeship Support Network will also undertake community employment outreach by working with employers, industry groups and local chambers of commerce to identify job opportunities and employer skills needs.
The new Network will provide a one-stop-shop for employers, particularly small business, looking to hire a new apprentice suited to their business.
Apprenticeship completion rates are currently around 50 per cent, however, to lift this figure the government is undertake wide-ranging reforms.
The new Network will commence from July 1, 2015 and apprentices and businesses will be able to access the Australian Apprenticeship Support Network’s services at no cost.
