More youth apprentice positions

AN employment agency is gearing up to offer an increase in paid work experience positions for Victorians following a newly announced Victorian Apprenticeship Recovery Package.  

Aiming to provide young people aged 15 to 24 with job opportunities, the program will provide 300 new positions within the public sector.

Chair of the Apprenticeship Employment Network and CEO of Westvic Staffing Solutions Dean Luciani said this project will create roles for Victorians that otherwise wouldn’t exist.

“The program will be rolled out across the state for the public sector to focus on getting through this recovery stage,” he said.

“There’s a network of group training organisations across Victoria and they will be responsible for identifying opportunities in their local region and then advertising those positions.

“I would like to acknowledge the strong leadership and continued support from the Victorian Government not only of our sector but of thousands of employees and apprentices benefited by our sector.”

The $9 million program aims to create work for eligible young Victorians for a minimum of 12 months while completing an accredited traineeship or apprenticeship.

Public sector industries will be the focus of this project with positions set to open within business, IT, landscaping, building maintenance, childcare, aged care and sport and recreation sectors.

Business administration apprentice at Buninyong Primary School Lauren Salter said she is grateful for her employer’s innovative approach to training employment.

“My traineeship is a great opportunity to experience a real workplace while I acquire knowledge and skills that will help me in any future career path,” she said.

“It is a really good opportunity to test out a workplace and learn skills along the way.

“This way, when I finish my course I can either go ahead and do a certificate four and go back to uni, or just keep working.”

While the project aims to support an increasing amount of Victorian youth find work and education, the package also aims to increase the participation of disadvantaged young people in the workforce.

AEN executive director Gary Workman said the organisation was thankful to the Victorian Government for its previous, and ongoing, support.

“The AEN is very pleased with this significant funding announcement that recognises the value of educating young people while they’re in a working environment,” he said.

“We know that secure, on-the-job apprenticeships and traineeships are vital to developing skills unique to specific qualifications, vocations and industries.

“This morning’s announcement is just going to enhance this support and create additional opportunities for young people which in this environment is fantastic.”