Queenslanders under 25 years old are encouraged to participate
The Queensland Government steps its productivity up as it extends the free training and apprenticeship for under 25s until 30 June 2023, previously due to end on 30 September 2022.
According to BUSY At Work, an organization providing career opportunities to job seekers, the government’s extension is in response to the crippling skills shortage and to attract more young Queenslanders to take up an apprenticeship.
“Queensland’s unemployment rate is at 3.8% and we know that means employers need workers to fill the good jobs that are still there,” Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said, according to BUSY At Work.
“We want to make sure employers have access to the skilled workforce they need. We also want to make sure Queenslanders have the skills they need to take up the opportunities that are there for those good jobs,” she added.
Free apprenticeships for those under 25s
Currently, the free apprenticeship program for under 25s is already helping 56,000 young Queenslanders to join apprenticeships and gain the in-demand skills and training needed by employers in sectors such as health, community services, hospitality, building and construction, and education support.
“For under 25s, fully subsidised training for 139 priority apprenticeship and traineeship qualifications is available through Registered Training Organisations in areas such as electrical, plumbing and engineering, as well as early childhood, aged and disability care, amongst others,” BUSY At Work said.
“The Free apprenticeships for under 25s program will cover the cost of training for Queensland apprentices or trainees who commenced or are undertaking one of the 139 high priority apprenticeship or traineeship qualifications from 1 January 2021 up until 30 June 2023,” the organization added.
Now that the government has extended the free program, Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer noted that individuals ages 25 years old and below could continue to enroll in 26 training programs and 139 free apprenticeships programs without paying a course fee.
“Our Free apprenticeships for under 25s initiative is an additional $21 million investment to provide young people with access to free certificate III courses across a wide range of areas,” Farmer said according to BUSY At Work.
Following the extension, Paul Miles, Managing Director for The BUSY Group, emphasized the increasing need for employers to search for apprenticeships and traineeships to future-proof their businesses.
“BUSY At Work is an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network provider, and we encourage young Queenslanders to take advantage of this opportunity to skill up for a secure working career and a successful future,” Miles said, according to the organization.
