Senior secondary students in Port Pirie are set for new opportunities to develop skills for occupations with the best prospects in their region, with the opening of a new Industry Training Hub and the expansion of the apprenticeship wage subsidy program.
Port Pirie is one of ten training hubs being trialled across Australia, as part of a $50.6 million investment by the Australian Government to improve opportunities for Year 11 and 12 students while the Government’s Boosting Apprenticeships program will generate around 70,000 new apprentice and trainee places around Australia.
Federal MP for Grey Rowan Ramsey said he welcomed these initiatives and opportunities they will present for the region’s young people.
“The training hub will be managed by a full-time career facilitator who will introduce school students to opportunities in local industries,” he said.
“The Port Pirie facilitator, Robin O’Dea, has a wealth of experience in the training and education sector and will be an excellent conduit between employers and high school students.
“Robin will engage with local employers who are experiencing difficulty finding people with the right skills they need for their business or organisation, and in turn, advise senior high school students of skill shortages.
“The Boosting Apprenticeship Commencement program has already supported 564 apprentices and trainees in Grey and has to date assisted almost 40,000 businesses in Australia to take on a new apprentice or trainee. By expanding this wage subsidy for another 12 months, we’ll be helping businesses to create even more jobs, further supporting our National Economic Recovery Plan for Australia.”
Minister for Education, Skills and Employment, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, said Career Employment Group has been awarded the contract for Port Pirie and surrounding areas.
“Young people can face longer periods of unemployment than other age groups, and in regional areas they are particularly at risk of falling into long-term welfare dependency,” Minister Cash said.
“By focusing on vocational education and training, people on the cusp of their adult working lives in these regions will develop the skillset and confidence they need, to embark on a fulfilling career with long-term prospects.”
“This is all about building a strong workforce that meets industry needs of our region.”
The opening of the Port Pirie Training Hub follows two hubs already operating in Burnie in Tasmania and Townsville in Queensland.
More details can be found at www.dese.gov.au/industry-training-hubs
Media Contact: Leonie Lloyd-Smith 08 8633 1744
March 17, 2021