Laura Timberlake
The Australian government is offering small businesses up to $4,000 in an attempt to address industry skills shortages.
The Additional Identified Skills Shortage (AISS) package offers up to $4,000 to eligible employers in small businesses, and $2,000 to new apprentices commencing a Certificate III or IV qualification on or after July 1, 2019.
Air conditioning and refrigeration is one of 10 industries covered by the scheme, which aims to create and support up to 80,000 new apprenticeships over five years.
Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Senator Michaelia Cash says the new incentive targets occupations with critical skills shortages.
“The AISS is an important part of the Australian Government’s $525 million package Delivering Skills for Today and Tomorrow, an investment that will upgrade and modernise Australia’s VET sector and encourage more people to pursue a career in the skilled workforce,” she says.
The full eligibility requirements and a list of occupations eligible for the AISS can be accessed through Australian Apprenticeship Support Network providers.
The government is also lowering the age for eligibility for the Support for Adult Australian Apprentices incentive from 25 to 21 years for apprentices that commenced work from July 1.
Senator Cash says the change will give employers more support when they seek to engage adult apprentices in areas of identified skills need.
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