A range of services are now available to support displaced apprentices and trainees - as well as employers who hire displaced apprentices and trainees - as part of the State's economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Apprentices and trainees who have had their contracts cancelled or suspended will have their course and resources fees scrapped in order to allow off-the-job training to continue for up to six months. Apprentices and trainees displaced between 1 March 2020 and December 31 2020 will be entitled to fee relief, commencing from their contract suspension date. Fee relief will continue for up to six months or until the apprentice or trainee recommences with an employer.
Employers can also access up to $6,000 in financial support for hiring a displaced apprentice or trainee through the State Government's new Apprenticeship and Traineeship Re-engagement Incentive. Employers hiring a displaced apprentice whose contracted was terminated on or after 1 March 2020 will receive a one-off payment of $6,000 and those hiring a trainee will receive $3,000.
Both initiatives are supported by an OUT OF CONTRACT REGISTER(opens in a new tab) , which provides a quick search tool for apprentices and trainees to find a new employer, and employers to find apprentices and trainees who are keen to continue developing their skills.
For more information, click here(opens in a new tab)