Apprentice programs at key manufacturing bodies such as Ballarat train manufacturer Alstom are set to receive more welfare support.
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In a bid to address Victoria’s stagnant apprentice completion rates, the state government has announced $3.7 million in funding to help more local apprentices become fully qualified.
Training and Skills Minister Steve Herbert made the announcement at Ballarat’s Alstom factory on Thursday morning.
The package features a $2.7 million allocation to extend the Apprenticeship Support Officer (ASO) program for another year.
The officers provide support and guidance to thousands of young apprentices during their first year of training.
A further $1 million will be invested in TAFEs and Group Training Organisations (GTO) to identify ways to help apprentices complete their training.
Earlier this year, the state government announced $9.3 million over three years for GTOs.
Mr Herbert also presented six local Alstom employees with certificates of excellence in recognition of their efforts in a mentoring capacity, while the manufacturer itself was also awarded for apprentice development and commitment to the Ballarat community.
Ballarat Secondary College was also commended.
Alstom’s Ballarat site manager Herbert Schmidt said improving apprentice completion rates is crucial to the growth of the manufacturing industry.
“We’ve had four adult apprenticeships which are ongoing and we’ve recently introduced another three apprentices. I’m glad to say that’s on the back of winning the current five new X’Trapolis trains for Melbourne (announced in the state budget),” he said.
Alstom is currently one of three manufacturers shortlised for a tender to produce 65 high-capacity trains for Melbourne’s metro network.
Ballarat Group Training chief executive Garry Doyle said acquiring major project tenders is crucial for local manufacturers.
“Herb’s (Schmidt) given the undertaking on a number of occasions that 15 per cent of the workforce is going to be apprentices,” he said.
“We’ve got a great relationship with Alstom now and I think it’s going to work really well if they win the next tender.
“From a Ballarat perspective that’s just going to be enormous for the flow on effect right through the whole town and the region.”
