Introduction of greater choice in apprenticeship training under new system

9/12/97

Employers and young workers will enjoy more flexible and relevant training with the introduction of greater choice in apprenticeship training under the New Apprenticeships system.

Employment and Training Minister Cheryl Edwardes said employers would no longer be required to send their apprentices to designated TAFE colleges, but could choose from an extensive list which included many private trainers.

Eighty private training organisations had joined the 11 TAFE colleges in offering training in over 200 courses in 150 occupations to first-year apprentices and trainees from the start of 1998.

"Many employers will for the first time have the opportunity of choosing which training provider best suits their off-the-job apprenticeship training needs," Mrs Edwardes said.

"Not only will employers of apprentices benefit from these changes, but employers of trainees under the traineeship system will also enjoy more choice.

"In regional areas where there are few apprentices and viable competition could not be supported, TAFE colleges will remain the main off-the-job trainer of apprentices."

Mrs Edwardes said lengthy consultation with employers had shown that they wanted training to fit in with their work requirements and to have greater choice in the type and method of training.

"This is one of the many changes we are making with the aim of encouraging more businesses to invest in the future by creating a position for an apprentice or trainee," she said.

Mrs Edwardes said also that enterprises which were registered to train their own apprentice or trainee would share in up to $530,000 to support enterprise-based training.

"The Coalition Government recognises the benefits of enterprise-based training and will contribute to the cost of this training," she said.

"I would urge all businesses in WA to consider employing an apprentice or trainee in 1998 - either on their staff or through a Group Training Scheme. Financial incentives are available for employers, but the benefits are shared by the whole community."

Media contact: Diana Russell Coote (08) 9421 7777