Senator the Hon Chris Evans, Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research announced an extension to the Apprentice Kickstart Initiative to include engineering trades.

This extension allows employers to attract Apprentice Kickstart incentives where their Australian Apprentice commences between 25 January 2013 and 28 February 2013 (inclusive) and is undertaking a Certificate III or IV qualification that leads to an engineering trade occupation listed on the National Skills Needs List.

The Apprentice Kickstart Initiative is an employer incentive designed to increase the number of Australian Apprenticeship commencements in both the skills shortage areas of the building and construction and engineering trades.

Small and medium enterprises and eligible group training organisations may attract the Apprentice Kickstart Initiative where their Australian Apprentice:

Commences between 1 December 2012 and 28 February 2013 (inclusive) and is undertaking a Certificate III or IV level qualification that leads to a building or construction occupation listed on the National Skills Needs List (NSNL) or
Commences between 25 January 2013 and 28 February 2013 (inclusive) and is undertaking a Certificate III or IV level qualification that leads to an engineering trade occupation listed on the NSNL.

The employer must also meet eligibility requirements under the Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program.

Senator the Hon Chris Evans, Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research has announced an extension to the Apprentice Kickstart Initiative to include engineering trades. This extension allows employers to attract Apprentice Kickstart incentives where their Australian Apprentice commences between 25 January 2013 and 28 February 2013 (inclusive) and is undertaking a Certificate III or IV qualification that leads to an engineering trade occupation listed on the National Skills Needs List.

The Apprentice Kickstart Initiative is an employer incentive designed to increase the number of Australian Apprenticeship commencements in both the skills shortage areas of the building and construction and engineering trades.

MEGT general manager of the national Australian Apprenticeships Centres organisation Jan Griffin has welcomed the inclusion of engineering trades.

“MEGT has been working with the building and construction industry since October. Now this funding has been expanded, we will start contacting employers of apprentices in the engineering trades as a matter of urgency to ensure they don’t miss out on the full funding and assess their eligibility,” Jan says.

“There is not much time to sign up engineering apprentices between now and the 28th February. But it is certainly well worth it to contact us for assistance as the payments for each eligible apprentice can mean $7,350 to the employer; and if there are rural and regional and adult apprenticeships involved, it could mean as much as $12,350 per apprentice.

“This incentive means employers can better afford to look for people with the right attitude – but who don’t necessarily have the skills.”

Jan urges businesses to call them out to their worksite to help with their apprenticeships.

“We’re contracted by the Australian Government to help, so it’s our job and it’s a free service,” she states.

Eligible occupations

Qualifications at the Certificate III or IV levels that lead to the following occupations may be eligible to attract the Apprentice Kickstart Initiative:

NEW! Engineering occupations (from 25 Jan 13)
Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Avionics)
Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Mechanical)
Fitter (General)
Fitter and Turner
Fitter-Welder
Metal Fabricator
Metal Machinist (First Class)
Pressure Welder
Toolmaker

Building and Construction occupations
Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic
Airconditioning and Mechanical Services Plumber
Bricklayer
Cabinetmaker
Carpenter
Carpenter and Joiner
Drainer
Electrician (General)
Fibrous Plasterer
Floor Finisher
Gasfitter
Glazier
Joiner
Landscape Gardener
Painting Trades Worker
Plumber (General)
Roof Plumber
Roof Tiler
Solid Plasterer
Sheetmetal Trades Worker
Signwriter
Stonemason
Wall and Floor Tiler
Welder (First class)

The new payments are in addition to the suite of employer incentives already available under the Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program.

Your local MEGT Australian Apprenticeships Centre will advise you of your eligibility for the Apprentice Kickstart Initiative at sign up.