GSEM welcomes Coalition apprenticeship commitment as win for south east skills and jobs

MEDIA RELEASE

Greater South East Melbourne (GSEM) has welcomed the Victorian Liberal and Nationals commitment to reduce training costs for businesses employing apprentices.

GSEM’s election platform called for more incentives for businesses to employ apprentices and this announcement is a welcome response to the advocacy.  

GSEM Chair Simon McKeon AO said the announcement was an important recognition of the need to support businesses that take on apprentices and build the skilled workforce Victoria needs.

“Our region is Australia’s manufacturing powerhouse and home to the nation’s largest manufacturing workforce. But skills shortages are putting increasing pressure on businesses and our ability to maintain that growth,” Mr McKeon said.

“We welcome this commitment because it responds directly to an issue we have been advocating for as part of our State election platform: making it easier and more affordable for businesses to employ and train apprentices.”

The Liberal and Nationals’ $115 million Accelerating Apprenticeships Fund would cover half the off-the-job training costs for apprentices in occupations on the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List, with businesses able to claim quarterly rebates for approved training costs.

Mr McKeon said action to support apprenticeships was particularly important for Melbourne’s south east, where manufacturing employment has grown by more than 9 per cent since 2016, compared with a 0.5 per cent decline nationally.

“At the same time, 37 per cent of manufacturing workers are in occupations facing shortages. We need to make sure our training system and workforce can keep pace with the needs of our growing economy,” he said.

“Supporting businesses to take on apprentices is an important part of that. It gives people a pathway into skilled work while helping local employers build the workforce they need to grow.

“We now call on all political parties to back practical incentives that support businesses to employ and train more apprentices, strengthen our local workforce and help keep Victoria competitive.”

“GSEM will continue to advocate for stronger workforce pathways that connect industry, schools, TAFEs and universities and give more Victorians the skills they need for the jobs of the future.”

ENDS

Media contact: Maggie Hill 0404 196 452 

GSEM represents the municipalities of Cardinia, Casey, Frankston, Greater Dandenong, Kingston, Knox, Monash and Mornington Peninsula. The body includes representatives from each local council, and is supported by an Independent Board comprising of Chair Simon McKeon and directors Margaret Fitzherbert and James Merlino.