Local tradies encouraged to apply for Men’s Shed grants

A LOCAL men’s shed is now taking applications from young and eager apprentices in the Anglesea, Aireys Inlet, Moggs Creek and Fairhaven areas requiring financial assistance as they undertake new trades.

Anglesea and District Men’s Shed president Clive Lillywhite said the Apprentice Support initiative is available for apprentices who are in their first or second year of training.

A total of 12 apprenticeship grants will be available to applicants.

“It’s an initiative that a lot of members of our organisation can align with, considering over half our members are current or former tradespeople,” Mr Lillywhite said.

“We had eight applicants since last year, and we awarded five grants to two cabinetmakers, one chef, one electrician and one plumber.

“It was a good cross-section of trades.

“The only requirements we have are applicants must go on a probation period for three months, receive a letter of endorsement from their employer, and gather a summary report to give to us before we can accept the application.”

The Anglesea and District Men’s Shed first started its Apprenticeship Support initiative in March last year and has reopened applications for young tradies this year.

Each recipient will be awarded $500 in men’s shed funding with $3,000 allocated to the initiative by the men’s shed.

Another $3,000 of funding has also been added to the funding pool by Community Bank Surf Coast doubling the pool of grant recipients from six to 12.

“We have a very close relationship with the community bank, but both of our organisations are very community-minded,” Mr Lillywhite said.

“That’s the main reason why we facilitate an initiative like this, because we want to give back to the community, and we encourage any aspiring tradespeople or first to second year apprentices to apply.”

To apply for one of the Anglesea and District Men’s Shed’s Apprenticeship Support grants, contact the club at www.angleseamensshed.com