More than $100 million has been paid out to almost 13,000 employers assisting 22,035 apprentices and trainees remain on the job since the Morrison Government launched the Supporting Apprentices and Trainees measure on 2 April 2020.
Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, said apprentices and trainees are vital for our ongoing economic growth and building a sustainable future workforce.
"COVID-19 has had a significant impact on the Australian economy. This support measure ensures employers can keep their apprentices and trainees despite the economic setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic," Minister Cash said.
The support is through a wage subsidy which covers 50 per cent of wages paid to apprentices and trainees. Subsidies will cover wages paid from 1 January 2020 to 30 September 2020 and businesses will be reimbursed up to $7,000 per quarter, up to a maximum of $21,000, per eligible employee.
The support package is part of the Morrison Government's Economic Response to COVID-19. The wage subsidy is available to small businesses that employ fewer than 20 full-time employees and retain their Australian apprentice or trainee. In addition, employers of any size and Group Training Organisations that re-engage an eligible out of trade apprentice or trainee are also eligible.
Apprentices and trainees who have lost their jobs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic are also being connected with new work and training through the new Apprentice and Trainee Re-engagement Register as part of this measure. The re-engagement register can be found here.
Assistant Minister for Vocational Education, Training and Apprenticeships, The Hon Steve Irons MP, said the Morrison Government is committed to delivering targeted, scalable support in the face of COVID-19 and the first priority is those businesses that are most vulnerable.
"This critical measure will help ensure the Australian economy recovers well and continues to enable employers to be more competitive, more innovative and to create more job opportunities. Most importantly, it is keeping apprentices connected to work," Minister Irons said.
