VERTO has welcomed today’s announcement of the Australian Government's JobTrainer package, supporting those struggling to find or keep employment to gain qualifications in high growth industries.
An AUD $2 billion investment, JobTrainer will offer more than 340,000 vocational education and training places to boost employment and the economy in the wake of COVID-19. The package includes a $1.5 billion extension of the Support for Apprentices and Trainees (SAT) program.
With up to 54,000 Australian apprentices and trainees at risk of unemployment in the wake of COVID-19, the package will enable employers, apprentices and trainees to look to the future and play an important role in Australia's economic recovery.
VERTO Chief Executive Officer, Ron Maxwell, is pleased by the commitment and the recognition of the importance of vocational education in rebuilding the Australian economy.
"The JobTrainer package is an incredibly important initiative to help more Australians into work. It's an enormous boost to school leavers, apprentices and employers that will help secure more apprenticeships and employment opportunities as we navigate recovery,” he said.
"There’s no doubt that COVID-19 has, and will continue to, provide employment challenges, and a program like this goes a long way to ensuring we keep as many apprentices and their employers viable into the future as possible.”
Another aspect of today’s announcement was specifically aimed at helping an estimated 250,000 students who will leave school this year into employment pathways.
“It is a difficult time for school leavers and JobTrainer provides support for them to explore their vocational training options to find new career pathways in a tough market,” Mr Maxwell added.
"This will not only help individual school leavers into employment, but the economy as a whole, as more qualified people enter our growth industries – it is an investment in our future.
“At a time when regional Australia has had drought, bushfires, and now a pandemic, this support will be very welcome. Providing employment opportunities is core to what we do at VERTO and having this further support is most welcome.”
VERTO provides Apprenticeship Services across NSW, ACT and Victoria, offering support across 500 qualifications for both apprentices and employers.
