Government’s apprentice support initiative provides a much-needed lift for small business

AENWA News

The National Apprentice Employment Network (NAEN) has today welcomed the federal government’s decision to introduce strong measures to assist small businesses to retain apprentices in the face of unsettling economic conditions.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced an apprentice wage subsidy payment that will assist small businesses to keep their existing apprentices and trainees in work.

The Chief Executive Officer of NAEN Dianne Dayhew said the apprentice support payments will provide a much-needed injection of funding for small business employers to help retain their apprentices that might otherwise become unemployed.

“The government is to be commended for this support. It is important to recognise the investment that goes into hiring and developing apprentices, and it’s equally important to ensure that investment is not lost,” Ms Dayhew said.

The initiative will assist some 120,000 apprentices and trainees to remain in their jobs through a subsidy paid to the employer, equal to 50 per cent of the apprentice or trainee’s wage and worth up to $7000 per quarter.

The measure, worth about $1.3 billion will apply to existing apprentices and trainees employed by businesses with fewer than 20 employees, backdated to 1 January and extending to 30 September 2020.

“The start of 2020 has been a difficult time for many small businesses impacted by drought, bushfires and now coronavirus, so the latest stimulus measures are a very welcome step in helping them stay afloat.”

Group training organisations (GTOs) employ some 30,000 apprentices and trainees across Australia and the feedback from individual GTOs is that the start of 2020 has been relatively flat for apprentice commencements.

Most small businesses with apprentices understand that conditions will bounce back, but there could be a difficult few months ahead and, without assistance, apprentices could well be displaced.

New study shows group training organisations achieving superior completion rates for apprentices and trainees

AENWA News

Australia’s network of group training organisations (GTOs) are achieving “substantially higher” completion rates of apprentices and trainees than direct employers in small and medium sized businesses, according to a landmark study released today.

The National Apprentice Employment Network (NAEN) welcomed the research findings from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research, which show the group training sector achieving superior outcomes for thousands of apprentices and trainees.

“The study shows the focussed efforts of group training organisations in matching apprentices and trainees with host businesses and providing ongoing mentoring and support does produce superior outcomes,” said, the CEO of the National Apprentice Employment Network (NAEN) Ms Dianne Dayhew.

The study, Completion rates for group training organisations and direct employers: how do they compare? examines the completion rates of apprentices and trainees employed by GTOs and those employed by direct employers.

It concludes that “After accounting for the different demographic profiles of GTO apprentices and trainees and employer size, the study shows that GTO completion rates for all apprentices and trainees are substantially higher than for small and medium direct employers.”

For trade apprentices and trainees, GTO completions are higher than for small and medium employers, while for non-trade apprentices and trainees, GTO completions are higher than for small and medium, and large direct employers.

Importantly, the study finds that the profile of GTO apprentices and trainees includes a higher proportion of disadvantaged or ‘high risk’ cohorts commencing apprenticeships and traineeships.

2019 AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE WINNERS ANNOUNCED

AENWA News

The Apprentice Employment Network WA Inc (AENWA) congratulates the winners of the 2019 Awards of Excellence.

The Awards of Excellence recognise the achievements of apprentices and trainees employed by our member Group Training Organisations in Western Australia.

Chairman, Stuart Diepeveen said,  “the 2019 Awards of Excellence event is a celebration that highlights excellence in training. It recognises and promotes the outstanding commitment and dedication of apprentices, trainees, Group Training Organisations and host employers. The quality of the nominations this year, demonstrates not only the commitment of the young adults to their training but the support and pastoral care they receive from both their Group Training and Host Employers that enables them to succeed in their careers.”

The evening was celebrated by 150 people consisting of finalists, guests, industry representatives, State and Australian Government Ministers, State Government members, parents, friends and representatives from our member Group Training Organisations. Our Sponsors, together with the Hon. Sue Ellery MLC, Minister for Education and Training in WA, and the Hon. Steve Irons MP, Assistant Minister for Vocational Education,Training and Aprrenticeships, presented finalists with their certificates and trophies at the event.

Special thanks goes to our main event sponsor AustralianSuper and award sponsors AMA Apprenticeship and Traineeship Services, Warrikal and the National Apprentice Employment Network for their ongoing commitment and support to our Awards of Excellence event, without whom these events could not be presented.

Directions Worforce Solutions employee wins WA Apprentice of the Year

AENWA News

The Apprentice Employment Network WA congratulates our member Group Training Organisation – Directions Workforce Solutions Inc, on their employee Anthony Di Cristofaro’s win as WA  Apprentice of the Year, at the WA Training Awards, Friday 13 September.

Anthony’s win as a matured aged apprentice demonstrates how Group Training Organisations can give your work life new direction. Ian Eardley, Chief Executive Officer, Directions Workforce Solutions Inc said, “Anthony showed tremendous dedication throughout his apprenticeship in Carpentry and Joinery to developing his new skills and has been a stand out worker, setting a high standard and example for many others to follow.”

Congratulations once again Anthony. Your hard work and dedication has paid off and your future now looks even brighter.

2019 AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

AENWA News

The Apprentice Employment Network WA Inc, announces the finalists of the 2019 Awards of Excellence.

The Awards are an opportunity to celebrate the outstanding achievements of apprentices and trainees who are employed by a Group Training Organisation in Western Australia and the contributions of their Host Employers.

Chairman, Stuart Diepeveen said, “the 2019 Awards of Excellence event is a celebration of the top young men and women who have committed themselves to achieving excellence in their chosen career.  An independent panel of judges reviewed the applications taking into account the education and work performance, personal skills and more importantly how individuals were applying this knowledge to real workplace situations. Regardless of which finalist wins in each category, they are all great ambassadors for group training and should be proud of what they have achieved in their young careers”.

The Hon Sue Ellery BA MLC, Minister for Education and Training in WA, The Hon Steve Irons MP Assistant Minister for Vocational Education, Training and Apprenticeships and our award sponsors, will be presenting finalists and winners with their certificates and trophies when the winners are announced at the Awards presentation to be held on Friday, October 11th.

The event will be an exciting networking opportunity for apprentices, trainees, group training organisations, host employers and industry.

We are very proud to announce that AustralianSuper is once again our main event sponsor along with AMA Apprenticeship and Traineeship Services, Warrikal, and the National Apprentice Employment Network.