‘BOOST TRAINING FUNDS’

TRAINING organisations are calling for long-term investment in apprentices rather than another sign-up sugar hit through wage subsidies when the federal budget is unveiled on Tuesday.

While last year’s commitment to pay half the wages of new apprentices and trainees for their first 12 months encouraged employers to boost headcounts, industry experts warn the impact may be short lived.

An Apprenticeship Employment Network spokesman said the challenge was to “bring employers back” to the apprentice system long term. It wants more funding for GTOs, which hire apprentices then place them with host employers, meaning a single business does not have to commit to a full four years.