Glenn today revealed four local businesses have created six new apprenticeship positions since the December 1 event at Taree PCYC - Allways Painting, Harris AC and Electrical, Mid Coast Flooring and Blinds, and his business, Distinctive Building Co.

“It’s a brilliant outcome. Right now I’m driving this but it’s something that needs to keep happening,” Glenn said.

Allways Painting owner, Wayne Amber expects the new apprenticeship position to begin in January.

“We invited Caleb to come and try the job for three or four days and it looks like he likes the job, which is half the battle. He's been puttying and sanding, they're not the shit jobs, that's the important stuff before you even put the paint on,” Wayne said.

“There is definitely demand for apprentices in this industry. There is plenty of work, we're always busy.

“I'm a leading hand and been painting for near on 30 years, and too often my days are spent running around making sure everything is getting done before I can get paint on a wall.

“The sheer cost of training them up, in time and money, is probably part of the reason why many businesses don't offer apprenticeships, but something has got to change.”

Glenn this week met with federal Member for Lyne, Dr David Gillespie.

“It was a meeting to say, ‘Hey David, I am here, this is what I’m doing, what are you going to do to push this thing forward as this region’s elected representative?’,” Glenn said.

“We talked a lot, the feedback was pretty good from him. He didn’t make any firm commitments but said he would get information about what is out there and available.”

Mr Davis said Dr Gillespie acted to speak about the Taree Trades and Careers Day in federal parliament and informed him of a new apprentice wage subsidy that will begin in 2019.

The Australian Apprentice Wage Subsidy will support 1630 apprenticeships in skills-need occupations in rural and regional areas, according to the federal government website australianapprenticeships.gov.au

Employers who employ a new apprentice undertaking a full-time Certificate III or IV qualification that leads to an occupation listed on the National Skills Needs List in a rural and regional workplace may be eligible. 

The Australian Apprentice Wage Subsidy provides support in the first three years of an Australian apprenticeship by paying 75 per cent of the first year award wage, 50 per cent of the second year award wage and 25 per cent of the third year award wage. 

NSW Business Chamber Regional Manager, Mid North Coast, Kellon Beard says “employers across the State are struggling with a skills shortage across a range of industries” and are “finding it harder to recruit and retain young people in their business”.

“The completion of an apprenticeship or traineeship in an area affected by the skills shortage – such as health, childcare, education or engineering – is an effective way for young people to gain a qualification whilst receiving valuable work experience and developing a greater sense of wellbeing.”

“But when we do something that aligns with our strengths, skills and passions, we have a higher level of wellbeing and are more likely to build a successful career.

“Earlier this year, the Skillsroad 2018 Youth Census, the largest youth survey in Australia, found that young people in apprenticeships and traineeships reported higher levels of wellbeing than any other post-school pathway.

“The findings of the Youth Census regarding apprentice and trainee wellbeing rates emphasise how important it is that young people have access to holistic, unbiased career conversations – and that includes information on vocational pathways.

Mr Beard also urges students who did not achieve the HSC mark they were hoping for not to worry, and that there is a vast range of possible post-school opportunities. 

“A strong ATAR is not necessarily a guarantee of future success. It’s more important for young people to follow their passions,” he said.

“I strongly recommend today’s HSC graduates jump on to the Skillsroad careers website to explore the many, many opportunities available to them.”

The Skillsroad website can be found at skillsroad.com.au. For more information on the many apprenticeship and traineeship packages available, visit apprenticeshipscentre.com.au or call 1300 363 831.

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