Campaign to boost apprentice numbers

GOLD Coast not-for-profit Busy At Work has launched a new campaign to place 150 school leavers and young people into apprenticeships on the Glitter Strip by the end of the year.

Managing director Paul Miles kicked off the campaign earlier this week with an event at the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, which is offering three new apprenticeships in horticulture, commercial cookery and carpentry to support the goal.

Mr Miles said the campaign is in its fourth year after starting in 2016 with a goal of 100 apprenticeships.

He said more employers are coming around to the benefits of taking on apprentices or trainees, especially given the support offered by the federal and state governments.

Employers who take on apprentices (over and above their usual intake) in 10 occupations, including carpentry and hairdressing, are eligible for payments of $4000 under the Federal Government’s Additional Identified Skills Shortage scheme.

“Busy At Work’s GC150 campaign is all about providing opportunities for young people in our region, as well as highlighting the many benefits that apprenticeships and traineeships provide,” he said.

“We’ve been able to help more than 1000 young people get into apprenticeships and traineeships, including schoolbased, since we started as the GC101 in 2016.

“This year our team is again hoping to smash our 150 placement target, but we need the support of our local business community.”

Busy At Work started in 1977 to deliver training and employment programs to homeless youth on the Gold Coast.