Tamworth region welcomes apprentice subsidy extension

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced an uncapped increase in the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencement (BAC) funding this week, estimating it would employ a further 70,000 apprentices across the country up until March 2022.

Alli Jenkins, joint owner of the Taminda business, said the subsidy will benefit them with their new apprentice Matt, but will also deliver great benefits to the region and country.

"It's just fantastic," she enthused.

"For our business we were looking to grow, we were keen to get apprentice, so this will help ease the financial burden by a long shot."

As a connection between apprentices and businesses, VERTO CEO Ron Maxwell also welcomed the Australian Government's announcement of $1.2 billion in funding.

"This funding will play a significant role in combatting any potential youth employment crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic," Mr Maxwell said.

"At VERTO, since October 2020, we have seen an increase of more than 203 per cent in apprenticeship sign-ups compared to the same period the year prior."

Business NSW Regional Manager, Joe Townsend, said the extension of the Commonwealth Government's apprentice subsidy is great news for Australia' and the region's skilled workforce.

"The Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements policy has certainly lived up to its name," he said.

"The Commonwealth Government hit the right note with this initiative, with reports from around the country of unprecedented demand for new apprentices and trainees."

Business NSW called for an extension of the subsidy in our 2021 Commonwealth Pre-Budget Submission, due to the "huge" impact it had after its introduction.

"In fact, it became a victim of its own success, with the 100,000 places exhausted well before the anticipated ending in September," Mr Townsend said.

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"Business NSW commends the Commonwealth Government for responding to these calls by extending this hugely successful initiative and removing the cap on places."

Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, said almost a thousand new apprenticeships have been created in New England, with "many more to come" thanks to the expanded program.

"So far, 890 apprentices and trainees have registered for support in New England as part of the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements wage subsidy program - which is part of the National Economic Recovery Plan," Mr Joyce said.

"I can't stress enough how important this program is and would encourage businesses also to sign up as soon as possible.

"[It's] a win win for employees and employers."

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