VERTO chief executive, Ron Maxwell, today announced VERTO had been selected by the Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business to provide Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) services from 2020 to 2022 across all of New South Wales.
Mr Maxwell said the VERTO team was proud to continue to be a provider of Australian Apprenticeship services, particularly given its 16 year history in the industry.
"We are extremely pleased the Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business has given VERTO the opportunity to continue to support both Australian Apprentices and employers right across New South Wales," Mr Maxwell said.
“Youth unemployment is at around 11.7 per cent nationally (more than double the general unemployment rate), and recently released statistics show apprenticeship rates dropped by 0.9 per cent from March 2018 to March 2019.
“These concerning statistics demonstrate a need for concerted focus on the vocational education and training sector now more than ever.
“The AASN program, along with the Australian Government’s Skilling Australians Fund, will both help to boost Australian Apprenticeship commencement and completion rates,” Mr Maxwell said.
Mr Maxwell said the new and improved AASN program would include a range of targeted initiatives including psychometric testing for Australian Apprentices to ensure the best employment fit for both the apprentice and the employer.
“The AASN program (effective from 1 February, 2020) is designed to give Australian Apprentices and employers all the support they need from commencement right through to completion at no cost,” Mr. Maxwell said.
“The AASN program will make it easier for employers to find, train and retain quality apprentices and trainees.
“VERTO will continue to be a one-stop-shop for Australian Apprentices and employers as they will (amongst a broad range of tasks) job match, provide advice about training options, facilitate personalised mentoring to at-risk apprentices, and facilitate all paper work associated with employer incentives and Trade Support Loans.
“We look forward to continuing to work with Australian Apprentices and employers right across New South Wales over the coming years,” Mr. Maxwell said.
