Budget offers new employment pathways for youth

 

Posted on 04/05/16 in Apprenticeships

The Australian Government has committed more than $750 million in the 2016 Budget for a youth jobs package to offer up to 120,000 job-seekers aged under 25 a carefully staged transition into the workforce.

The Youth Jobs PaTH – Prepare, Trial Hire – combines pre-employment training with work-experience to create “job-ready” candidates to take on fully-fledged apprenticeships, traineeships and other ongoing employment.
 
“The Government has announced that in stage one of the Youth Jobs PaTH, eligible candidates will undergo intensive pre-employment training in skills such as teamwork, presentation, and IT literacy, to give them a grounding in appropriate behaviour for the workplace and of employer expectations,” says Apprenticeship Support Australia General Manager, James Moran.
 
“Stage two will see participants undergo internships of between four and 12 weeks, with participating employers receiving $1000 upfront for offering these opportunities to young people. The final stage of the program will be the hiring phase, when the interns transition into an ongoing working arrangement.”
 
Youth Jobs PaTH candidates will receive a $200 fortnightly payment during their internships on top of whatever income subsidy they may be receiving. Employers that take on eligible job seekers can apply for a Youth Bonus Wage subsidy of between $6500 and $10 000.
 
There will also be improvements to the design of wage subsidies, which will be payable over six months and give employers more flexibility in hiring young people.
 
“The Treasurer has described the Youth Jobs PaTH package as a boost for the job prospects of the young and unemployed that will incentivise businesses to give them a chance by reducing the risk,” Mr Moran said.
 
“ASA looks forward to supporting Youth Jobs PaTH participants transition into apprenticeships and traineeships, once they have successfully completed the first stages of the program.”
 
The Youth Jobs PaTH initial training will begin in January 2017.
 
There were few other changes to vocational training arrangements announced in the Federal Budget. The Australian Apprenticeship Support Network will continue to operate as usual, with Apprenticeship Support Australia, as a contractor, administering incentives, loans and support for apprentices and their employers from initiation through to completion of apprenticeships.
 
Funding arrangements for higher education remain unchanged, while Industry Skills Fund training grants are to be prioritised to micro and small businesses.
 
For more information on Budget initiatives affecting the vocational education and training sector and for more information on the criteria and eligibility for Youth Jobs PaTH go to: www.education.gov.au
 

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