Earlier today the Victorian Premier the Hon. Daniel Andrews and the Hon. Steve Herbert, Minister for Training and Skills announced that the Victorian Government will commit to provide $9.3 million in funding over the next 3 years to support Victorian group training organisations employ apprentices and trainees.
Currently the Victorian group training industry employs over 7500 apprentices and trainees each year across Victoria in all industry sectors with a heavy focus on traditional trade areas. GTO’s work with local communities and employers to match young people with meaningful work.
“We estimate this funding will support over 11,000 new apprentice and trainee commencements over the next 3 years and support in excess of 17,000 apprentices and trainees in Metropolitan and regional Victoria. Our network provides real job opportunities for young people and provides flexibility and support for small businesses across a wide range of trades and industry sectors”.
“Group training provides a safety net and flexibility for both the apprentice and host employer over the period of their training, and we congratulate the Victorian Government on their long term commitment to our industry” said Dean Luciani, GTAV Chair and CEO of Westvic Staffing Solutions based in Warrnambool.
Gary Workman, Executive Director of GTAV, also discussed the valuable work that group training organisations provide in their local communities. “Australia is facing shortages of skilled workers in many areas and apprenticeships are a way of ensuring we have skilled workers for the future, and that we do not leave a generation of young people permanently locked out of the workforce.”
“We congratulate the Victorian government on their announcement today. It strongly demonstrates the government’s commitment to apprenticeships and traineeships and will ensure young workers receive real skills and training, and valuable career opportunities, which provides a strong foundation for our economy into the future”.
About the Group Training Association of Victoria
The Group Training Association of Victoria (GTAV) is the peak industry body representing not-for-profit group training companies across Victoria. GTAV, through its members, employ over 7,500 apprentices and trainees across all industry sectors, which is supported by a network of 5,000+ host employers including small-to-medium sized businesses.
Further information:
Gary Workman – Executive Director GTAV
M: 0425 736 036 E: gary@aen.org.au
Dean Luciani – GTAV Chair
M: 0418 516 908
Rob Birch – G-Force
M: 0408 309 133