Apprenticeship Office news and updates

Premier Mark McGowan and Minister for Education and Training Sue Ellery today launched ‘The other force’ — a new campaign to raise awareness of the job opportunities and career pathways available in Western Australia’s defence industry. The campaign aims to inspire women, veterans, young people, jobseekers and career changers to take advantage of the job opportunities created by the State Government’s $18.34 million maritime defence industry workforce package.

Promoting the diverse, exciting and secure jobs offered by the defence industry is an important part of the State Government’s work to build the skilled workforce needed to support upcoming defence projects and secure future defence work, expected to be valued at up to $75 billion nationally over the next decade.

Speaking at today's launch, the Premier said "This campaign builds on our efforts to strengthen WA’s defence workforce through the $18.34 million workforce package as part of the WA Recovery Plan. We are supercharging WA's defence manufacturing industry to create vital employment and training opportunities for Western Australians. There’s never been a better time for Western Australians to embark on a rewarding long term career in the defence industry.”

The campaign is complemented by the establishment of five new defence industry skill sets, which will contribute to a 'defence ready' workforce to bolster WA’s defence industry and support maritime defence contracts. The new $3.3 million package was developed in consultation with industry to meet industry skill demand, and courses are available through South Metropolitan TAFE. The campaign and new skill sets were presented to an industry forum held with key employers and stakeholders including Austal, Civmec, ASC West, Defence Primes, BAE Systems, Henderson Alliance, Naval Ship Management and the Naval Shipbuilding College.

Matilda Hobbins, third year South Metropolitan TAFE marine fabrication apprentice, stars in the advertising campaign and encourages others to embark on a rewarding career in defence manufacturing. Employed as a marine fabricator at Austal, the 25 year old says she has been well supported as a woman in a male-dominated industry and there is nothing like working with your hands and seeing your individual contribution come together to build a ship. 

In addition to the five new skill sets, the campaign will also highlight several other initiatives including:

• $8.5 million for incentives of $20,000 for defence manufacturing industry employers to train apprentices in key trades;
• $2.85 million to train an additional 335 apprenticeships in nominated trades; 
• investment in training scholarships for women and defence veterans; and
• defence industry training facilities upgrades at South Metropolitan TAFE.

For further information about the defence initiatives, please visit the Jobs and Skills WA website at jobsandskills.wa.gov.au/defence

“A job in defence means a diverse, rewarding and long-term career." said Minister Ellery. "It’s important to shine a light on the opportunities the defence industry offers and provide affordable and high quality training options for blue, grey and white collar workers to get Western Australians there. South Metropolitan TAFE has a long established relationship with the defence industry and expertise in defence-related training so Western Australians will be trained to industry-standard to take up the job opportunities available."

 Read the full media statement here

The State Government has launched a new short course in bricklaying on the back of its highly successful $147 million Building Bonus program, which has re-energised Western Australia’s residential construction sector and created hundreds of additional jobs thanks to the State Government’s $20,000 bonus, with the stimulus generating enough construction work to last through to 2022.

The Bricklaying Job Ready program, which was developed in consultation with the Construction Training Fund and key industry partners including HIA, MBA and ABN Group, will create a pipeline of qualified bricklayers to meet the needs of WA’s building industry.

Students will complete the Work Safely in Construction short course skill set, which teaches work safety practices, basic measuring and calculation skills, and how to operate small plant and equipment used on building and construction projects — through a mix of on-campus training and work placement with industry employers. The program is free for concession-eligible students including jobseekers and people aged 15—24. Non-eligible participants will need to pay a fee. On completion of the course, students will have the opportunity to start a bricklaying apprenticeship with a participating employer.

The pilot program will be delivered by North Metropolitan TAFE, South Metropolitan TAFE, and private training provider Skill Hire. The program will be reviewed at the completion of the first course with a view to it being expanded to regional WA. Employers who sign up to the program will be able to access State and Australian Government incentives and wage subsidies.

Speaking at the program launch today, at the Construction Futures Centre in Belmont, WA Minister for Education and Training Sue Ellery said "This new ‘job-ready’ course is a golden opportunity for anyone thinking about a career in construction.".

Applications for the course are now open — with 50 places available for the first intake scheduled to start on November 9, 2020. Register your interest by emailing BricklayingJobReady@dtwd.wa.gov.au.

The McGowan Government has announced an $18 million package to build a pipeline of skilled workers in Western Australia to attract defence maritime projects to the State. This workforce investment will help provide the skilled workers needed to support upcoming WA defence projects and secure future defence work, expected to be valued at up to $75 billion nationally over the next decade.

New $20,000 employer incentive
The package includes $8.5 million for a new $20,000 Defence Industry Employer incentive, on top of existing financial subsidies, for shipbuilding employers to take on in-demand apprentices in readiness for a pipeline of future work.

New training initiatives for the defence industry, along with two new scholarship programs, will soon be announced. 
A further $2.85 million has been allocated to deliver 335 additional apprenticeship commencements in nominated defence trades in 2020—21 to achieve 200 apprenticeship completions by 2024—25. A further $3.3 million will be provided to create new TAFE short courses to support Western Australians to upskill and become 'defence ready'. 

Equipment will be upgraded at South Metropolitan TAFE, to assist with training students in defence-related industries, including the purchase of four new computer numeric control milling and lathe machines to train metal fitters and machinists, with workshops customised to accommodate the new machines.

The package includes $800,000 to create two new scholarship programs to encourage women and defence veterans to take up a career in the defence manufacturing industry; 20 scholarship opportunities per year will be available for both women and Defence veterans. The program will be co-funded between the State Government and industry, with each party contributing $5,000 per scholarship.

As part of the package, a dedicated defence industry team will be established at Rockingham Jobs and Skills Centre to undertake careers promotion across all schools and provide advice to jobseekers and potential workers. A maritime defence industries toolkit will also be developed to provide practical advice for jobseekers.

Read the full media statement here

More than 115  apprentices and trainees who were displaced through the impact of COVID-19 have already returned to work within a month of the new Apprenticeship and Traineeship Reengagement Incentive being launched. 

The $4.8 million scheme supports employers by providing one-off payments of $6,000 for apprentices and $3,000 for trainees, and gets apprentices and trainees whose training was cancelled or terminated reengaged in training and back into work.

The Reengagement Incentive became available on 2 July, and is already seeing strong uptake from industries including building and construction, automotive and electrical with more than 100 WA employers accessing the scheme to date. It has also been well received in non-trade areas, with more than 20 apprentice hairdressers and barbers back at work and restarting their training in the past few weeks.

Available until 30 June 2021, the incentive is supported by a new Out of Contract Register, available on the Jobs and Skills WA website, which helps apprentices and trainees who have been stood down to find a new employer. The register provides employers with a quick search tool to find apprentices and trainees who are already skilled and experienced, and keen to get back into work and continue their training.

The Reengagement Incentive is part of the State Government's $229.2 million Rebuilding our TAFEs plan, which will provide more training and reskilling opportunities to boost job and career prospects and the State's economy by generating jobs.

For more information about the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Reengagement Incentive, visit  the Jobs and Skills WA website at jobsandskills.wa.gov.au/reengagementincentive or call the Apprenticeship Office Helpline on 13 19 54.

Support for apprentices and trainees, and employees, is also available at Jobs and Skills Centres. Each of the 13 JSCs located across metropolitan Perth and regional WA provide free advice, information and support to help with job searches, resume assistance and interview tips, and can assist employers to find an apprentice or trainee. The Jobs and Skills website also offers free online resources include videos, a jobs board, and the new Career Connect Facebook community.

Find out more at jobsandskills.wa.gov.au/jobswa

Up to $6,000 in financial support is now available to employers who take on a displaced apprentice or trainee, as part of the McGowan Government's commitment to support apprentices and trainees during the State's COVID-19 recovery. The incentive will help employers maintain a pipeline of skilled workers in Western Australia and is available until June 30, 2021 from the Department of Training and Workforce Development.  

The new Apprenticeship and Traineeship Re-engagement Incentive provides employers with a one-off payment of $6,000 for hiring an apprentice and $3,000 for hiring a trainee.

Employers who take on an apprentice or trainee whose training contract was terminated on or after 1 March 2020, are eligible to receive the payment.

The financial boost for businesses follows the recent announcement by the State Government to cover the training costs for more than 3,000 apprentices and trainees who have had their contracts cancelled or suspended, to continue their 'off the job' training for up to six months.

"We know that many apprentices and trainees have been doing it tough during this period, and as we continue the recovery process, we want to get them back into our workshops and back to work." said Premier Mark McGowan. "By providing these financial incentives, we are backing our local businesses to take on displaced apprentices and trainees to ensure our future workers have the technical and practical skills to meet the immediate needs of the workforce."

The new incentive is supported by a new Out of Contract Register which helps apprentices and trainees who have been stood down to find a new employer. The register provides employers with a quick search tool to find apprentices and trainees who are keen to continue their training.

• The Out of Contract Register is available at jobsandskills.wa.gov.au/register
• For more information on the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Re-engagement Incentive, visit jobsandskills.wa.gov.au/reengagementincentive

Information and support for employers of apprentices and trainees is available from the Apprenticeship Office Helpline on 13 19 54.

WA Premier Mark McGowan and Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery, together with the Construction Training Fund (CTF), have announced a $24.5 million support package to assist the building and construction industry to maintain a skilled workforce during the COVID-19 crisis. The package includes $10 million to provide an immediate, one-off payment of $2,000 to employers of existing apprentices and trainees currently receiving Construction Training Fund (CTF) grant payments.

A new grants scheme worth $9.5 million will be introduced to assist employers to retain their existing apprentices, with payments beginning from 1 June 2020 (backdated from 1 April 2020). The payments will range from $250 per month to $500 per month, per apprentice or trainee, depending on the trades facing the most critical skills shortages in the industry.
 

• Employers currently receiving CTF grants for apprentices and trainees in employment will be eligible for the new grant scheme. Support for apprentices and trainees
• Apprentices and trainees employed in the industry can claim up to $1,000 to support the costs of undertaking short courses to assist them in upskilling.

Employers and employees can find out more information at ctf.wa.gov.au

"The construction industry plays an important role in Western Australia and employs thousands of people across a range of trades." the Premier said. "It's important we look after our local businesses, apprentices and trainees — this funding will go towards making sure jobs are maintained and our construction workforce is ready to assist with the post COVID-19 economic recovery."

Read the full media statement here

The Commonwealth Government has announced new measures to support individuals and jobseekers who have been impacted by COVID-19. 

Support is also available from the WA Jobs and Skills Centres, and in your local community.

The Jobs and Skills WA website now provides a page of useful information and links to help access these measures. It includes information for students, apprentices, trainees, individuals and families regarding accessing financial support, as well as information about workplace entitlements and obligations.

View the COVID-19 Support for individuals and jobseekers page

Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan has announced a stimulus package of $114 million, in measures to support Western Australia’s small and medium businesses.

Changes to payroll tax

• Payroll tax paying businesses with a payroll between $1 and $4 million will receive a one-off grant of $17,500
• Additional payroll tax relief for small businesses will be fast-tracked, with the payroll tax threshold increasing to $1 million from 1 July 2020
• Small and medium sized businesses affected by COVID-19 can now apply to defer payment of their 2019—20 payroll tax until 21 July 2020

For further details on these changes to payroll tax, please visit the Jobs and Skills WA website

WA small business assistance service

The State Government has also set up a dedicated small business assistance service through the Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC). Businesses can access support services and assistance regarding these financial stimulus measures, as well as other advice – online and over the phone – to help manage the impact of COVID-19. There is also a range of useful information and resources on the SBDC website.

P: 133 140 (8.30 am to 4.30 pm weekdays)

E: info@smallbusiness.wa.gov.au

W: smallbusiness.wa.gov.au

Commonwealth Government support for business

The Commonwealth Government has also announced a $189 billion stimulus package to support the Australian economy through the challenges of COVID-19. The package provides measures to support and assist small and medium businesses to manage cash flow challenges and retain their employees, including apprentices and trainees.

Two key measures have been announced;

• Boosting Cash Flow for Employers; and
• wage subsidies for apprentices and trainees.

Boosting Cash Flow for Employers

The Boosting Cash Flow for Employers measure will provide up to $100,000 back to small and medium-sized business, with a minimum payment of $20,000 for eligible businesses. The payment will provide temporary cash flow support to small and medium businesses that employ staff. The payment will be tax free.

Wage subsidies for apprentices and trainees

Eligible employers can apply for a wage subsidy of 50 per cent of the wages paid to an apprentice or trainee during the nine months from 1 January 2020 to 30 September 2020. Employers will be reimbursed up to a maximum of $21,000 per eligible apprentice or trainee ($7,000 per quarter).

For further details on these measures, and other financial support available for WA businesses, please visit the Jobs and Skills WA website

The Department’s Apprenticeship Office registers and administers training contracts and regulates the apprenticeship system for apprenticeships and traineeships in Western Australia.

Each month, the Apprenticeship Office page of this website receives up to five thousand visits, and provides information and  resources such as fact sheets and forms to assist with employers, apprentices and trainees, registered training organisations (RTOs) and Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) providers with the management of the training contract.

In response to feedback from clients and website users, a new design and structure has been developed for the Apprenticeship Office website page. Information is now organised so that it’s easier to access, with new one-click links to help find what you need more quickly.

Over the next few months, we are undertaking a full review of all fact sheets and forms to ensure we are providing the information and support needed for our customers and stakeholders across WA. 

Take a look at the new page at dtwd.wa.gov.au/apprenticeship-office

The Department has released a new guide to Western Australian school-based apprenticeships and traineeships. The guide was developed collaboratively with stakeholders and is now available on our website.

The new guide provides detailed information on the important aspects involved in a school-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SBAT) arrangement. It provides help and support for schools, registered training organisations (RTOs), employers, students, parents and other stakeholders operating in Western Australia’s apprenticeship and traineeship system.

It includes:

• a quick guide which highlights the key steps involved in an SBAT from starting out through to completion;
• real life examples to make it easier to understand how SBATs actually work in practice;
• information on the different roles and responsibilities of each of the stakeholders, including the importance of effective communication and collaboration; and
• website links for easy access to fact sheets, forms and other relevant information.   

The guide is available as an online resource and can also be downloaded and printed.

The setting is identified on the Public Register of Prescribed VET Qualifications. It states:

• a school-based training contract comprises of:
  •   a minimum of 7.5 hours per week in paid work over the duration of the traineeship or apprenticeship, which can be averaged over six month periods; and
  •   training which may be supervised on the job, delivered off the job, or as some combination of on and off the job.

Please note that the setting identifies the minimum hours of paid work and allows employers and SBATs to negotiate longer hours of work, if required.

A new fact sheet School-based apprenticeships and traineeships: Minimum hours per week, is available on the Apprenticeship Office website under Training contract forms and factsheets.