NSW GOVERNMENT HELPING RURAL APPRENTICES

Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee today joined Member for Oxley Melinda Pavey in Nambucca to announce a new initiative to help apprentices in bushfire and drought-affected areas.
 
From today, apprentices in bushfire and drought-affected areas whose employers are unable to keep them on will still be able to access the training component of their apprenticeships for up to 12 months for free.
 
Mr Lee said the initiative means out of work apprentices in our regions will not be left behind while seeking new employers.
 
“We want to encourage regional youth to stay connected with their communities while on the pathway towards their future careers. We don’t want our regional apprentices to be forced to pack up and move out of their communities,” Mr Lee said.
 
“An apprentice who started training last year will be a fully qualified tradesperson within four years, so this is planning ahead. We will need future tradespeople in our regions.”
 
Minister for Regional Youth Bronnie Taylor says the inaugural Regional Youth Taskforce made it clear that young people want opportunities to be job ready in the community they love.
 
“At a time where we are losing young people from the regions this is exactly the sort of initiative we need to allow them to stay,” Mrs Taylor said.
 
This initiative is uncapped and will apply to as many apprentices as needed.
 
Training Services NSW will work with apprentices in drought and bushfire-affected areas to support them with ongoing training and help connect them to potential employers. 
 
For more information, visit your local Training Services NSW office or call 13 28 11.