Payments of up to $5200 a year to help cover the costs of hiring an apprentice are now available for eligible small and medium-sized businesses.
SMEs that haven’t hired an apprentice in the past two years are encouraged to apply for funding through the Australian Government’s new Group Training Organisation (GTO) Reimbursement Program.
The program aims to make hiring apprentices easier and more affordable for SMEs using a GTO such as the Ai Group Apprentice and Trainee Centre (Ai Group ATC) to access the next generation of skilled talent.
GTOs employ Australian apprentices under a training contract and place them with host companies.
They support host companies during the training of apprentices.
Ai Group ATC offers services such as managing:
Under the program, Ai Group ATC will have the capacity to facilitate funding for 20 apprentices.
Ai Group ATC Head Peter Nolan said the initiative was a fantastic opportunity for SMEs to access the services provided by GTOs.
“GTOs are renowned for delivering higher apprentice completion rates through dedicated mentoring and specialised support for both businesses and individuals,” Mr Nolan said.
“This program not only eases financial pressures for SMEs but will help build a skilled and resilient workforce for the future.”
The GTO Reimbursement Program is part of the Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System.
For further information and to find out if your business is eligible for funding, please contact the Ai Group ATC.
Wendy Larter is Communications Manager at the Australian Industry Group. She has more than 20 years’ experience as a reporter, features writer, contributor and sub-editor for newspapers and magazines including The Courier-Mail in Brisbane and Metro, the News of the World, The Times and Elle in the UK.
