Are you a rural or regional employer who wants to take on an apprentice?
Senator Michaelia Cash, has announced support for regional and rural businesses with a trial Apprentice Wage Subsidy. The trial aims to encourage greater uptake of apprenticeships by rural and regional businesses.
It is a substantial commitment for a small business in regional Australia to take on an apprentice. Apart from the wage cost, the early period of time in the apprenticeship requires close supervision of the employee and productivity is not high.
The apprenticeship model, combines employment experience with structured training. It remains one of the most successful ways for people to acquire skills. This scheme encourages participation in apprenticeships by employers who have not previously engaged apprentices. As well as re-engaging employers who may have disengaged from the system.
Eligible employers will have the opportunity to develop a skilled workforce, while building careers for their local community. Apprenticeships are particularly important in offering pathways for young people from school to work. And are a key part of developing the future workforce.
What is the Australian Apprentice Wage Subsidy?
The Australian Apprentice Wage Subsidy provides financial support to employers in regional and rural communities to hire new full-time apprentices in areas of skills needs – for hotels this means apprentice cooks.
What subsidies are available?
The Australian Apprentice Wage Subsidy provides support in the first three years of an Australian Apprenticeship to help employers.
Based on the award wage rate of the Australian Apprentice, the subsidy provides support as follows:
- 75% of the first year award wage
- 50% of the second year award wage
- 25% of the third year award wage
Eligible businesses will gain an average of $37,000 over a three year period.
Payments will be available six monthly in arrears, with the first payments available at six months from the date of commencement.
Who’s eligible?
The wage subsidy is available to employers who sign-up and commence a new worker Australian Apprentice from 1 January 2019.
The wage subsidy is available to employers who have not employed an apprentice within the last three years.
Unfortunately, subsidies are not available for employers who have employed an Australian Apprentice within a three-year period prior to 1 January 2019.
Act Now!
With the trial only available to the first 1,630 you need to act now if you want to take advantage of this amazing limited time offer.
To arrange your training contract and access this offer get in touch now.