04 Oct 2020 | Media Release
Today’s Federal Government announcement of a 50 per cent wage subsidy for new apprentices and trainees employed from 5 October by any sized business should go a long way to turning around the concerning long-term decline in apprenticeship numbers.
“This is the right prescription to restore the health of the apprenticeship system, given the considerable wage subsidy investment already made in apprentice retention. It comes at the right time, when restrictions are being eased, and will encourage businesses looking to take on more people to take on apprentices,” ACCI CEO James Pearson said.
“As apprenticeships require a longer-term investment in skills development, this wage subsidy will tip the balance in favour for many employers to make the commitment to developing the skills for the future.
“Apprenticeships and traineeships have long been ACCI’s number one skills priority, and along with the promise to deliver real growth in the overall investment in vocational education and training, this move to breathe more life into the highly valuable apprenticeship model comes at a critical time.
“It is particularly pleasing to see the subsidy provided to businesses of all sizes which was a key ask in ACCI’s pre-budget submission to the Federal Government. It simplifies the subsidy and reflects the value of new job opportunities across the economy.
“The COVID crisis has dealt a heavy blow particularly to young people. Apprenticeships and traineeships are a great pathway for those seeking their first full time job. It delivers structured training, alongside valuable workplace experience, and a national recognised qualification.”
11/05/2022
In its submission to the Fair Work Commission’s annual wage review, the nation’s peak business network, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has backed...
3/05/2022
The Reserve Bank’s decision to lift the cash rate to 0.35 per cent reflects the interrelated challenges of rising inflation, supply chain bottlenecks, and acute...
29/04/2022
The Australian Chamber – Tourism is urging both parties to commit to measures that will assist in the recovery, and capitalise on the potential, of...
20/04/2022
The further easing of close contact isolation rules for household contacts in NSW and Victoria will ease the crippling workforce shortages that are hampering business...
19/04/2022
A commitment from a re-elected Coalition government to extend new greenfields agreements to six years is an important step towards genuine and structural workplace reform...
13/04/2022
Australia’s largest and most representative voice for business, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, today launched its campaign Back Australian Business, coinciding with the federal...
11/04/2022
The union movement’s rehashed casualisation scare campaign puts Australian small businesses and jobs at risk. “This election, Australians deserve better than the ACTU’s false claims...
2/04/2022
Australian businesses are set to reap the rewards of strengthened ties with India following the Phase One Agreement of the Australia-India Economic Commercial and Trade...
29/03/2022
Tonight’s budget will continue to rebuild Australia’s tourism industry; notwithstanding continued labour pressures are hampering the sector’s recovery. “The Government’s commitment to tourism has been...
29/03/2022
Tonight’s budget will continue to build capacity in the economy; however, business has been left with a long road to recovery without significant reform to...
27/03/2022
The extension of the Boosting Apprenticeships Commencements (BAC) wage subsidy to 30 June is insufficient in providing businesses with the confidence that apprenticeship support will...
25/03/2022
A new tourism strategy, THRIVE 2030: The Re-Imagined Visitor Economy, announced by the Federal Government today, provides a roadmap to rebuild Australia’s visitor economy and...
25/03/2022
The significant increase in apprenticeship and traineeship commencements announced today continues the strong inroads made in skilling our local workforce. However, to lock in and...
25/03/2022
In response to Australia’s severe skills and labour crisis, today ACCI releases ‘Overcoming Australia’s Labour & Skills Shortages through Skills Development, Workforce Participation and Migration’ as...
23/03/2022
Reforms and investment announced by the Federal Government today will streamline unnecessary regulation and remove burdensome red tape, supporting business investment, innovation, and job creation....
15/03/2022
Cruise operators have received the greenlight to resume their operations from April 17 following an announcement from the Federal Government today. “Lifting the ban on...
15/03/2022
Australia manufacturers are facing labour and material shortages on a scale not seen since the 1970s oil shock with global supply chain disruptions only set...
9/03/2022
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry congratulates Deputy President the Hon. Reg Hamilton on his retirement from the Fair Work Commission (FWC) and welcomes...
23/02/2022
The Morrison Government’s announcement today of $10 million to support a new international education strategy is a welcome boost for an export sector that has...
21/02/2022
After 704 days, Australia finally welcomes all fully vaccinated international tourists, business travellers and other visa holders from today. While there will be a considerable...