Boost to South Australia’s training system with increase in apprentice and trainee enrolments.
Minister for Innovation and Skills, Hon David Pisoni MP, visited PEER on Friday 7 February 2020, announcing key findings from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) publication: Government funded students and courses – January to September 2019. He highlighted the large increase in apprentice and trainee enrolments across critical sectors for the SA economy.
Key findings from the report, indicate an increased confidence in the South Australian economy, with over 700 business taking on an apprentice for the first time. This is attributed to the Marshall Liberal Government working closely with industry and businesses, to continue the turnaround of the state’s training system.
Minister for Innovation and Skills, Hon David Pisoni MP said, “The first full year of the Skilling South Australia program has yielded fantastic results, with over 13,000 new apprenticeship and traineeship commencements.”
“We’re seeing strong growth in government funded VET program enrolments across critical sectors for the SA economy, including community services, agriculture, horticulture, conservation and land management, construction and traditional trades, as well tourism, hospitality and events.”
The Minister also stated that the Skilling South Australia projects, are growing the state’s skilled workforce, while meeting the needs of employers.“There are almost 100 Skilling South Australia projects underway, co-designed by industry and business, to grow our skilled workforce, build careers and meet the needs of employers by driving growth in apprenticeships and traineeships. Encouragingly, we’re also delivering increased participation in terms of Aboriginal students and increased female participation in skills training.”
Peter Nolan, Chief Executive of leading South Australian training organisation PEER, said that the State Government’s investments in skills and expansion of subsidised training, is delivering positive results for the sector.
Mr. Nolan stated: “2020 has commenced very positively for PEER and we have seen a strong uptake of apprentices already. We have 42 new well-trained, high quality apprentices either commenced or commencing soon. We also have vacancies in the refrigeration and air-conditioning trade and are always looking for more females in all of our trades. The Skilling South Australia projects have been of great benefit to new apprentices and the demand for well-trained apprentices is continuing to grow.”
