LOCAL GOVERNMENT APPRENTICE & TRAINEE PROGRAM BACKROOM DEAL
Shadow Minister for Skills, TAFE, and Tertiary Education, Justin Clancy called out the decision by the NSW Labor Government to exclude Group Training Organisations, from the $252.2 The Fresh Start for Local Government Apprentices, Trainees, and Cadets Program.
Group Training Organisations (GTOs), many of which are not-for-profit, provide critical wrap around employment and training support to apprentices and trainees, helping them reach their goal of acquiring a trade qualification.
A key measure of recently released guidelines, to fund the wages of 1,300 roles in the local government sector, requires councils to directly employ apprentices and trainees. The move could significantly impact approximately 40 NSW councils currently working with GTOs.
Mr Clancy fears the Minns Labor government has done a backroom deal over this program and is demanding officials reveal the truth about why GTOs have been blocked.
“This restriction creates unnecessary barriers for councils and GTOs, limiting opportunities for young people, many in rural and regional NSW, to enter trades at a time when the state is already grappling with a skills shortage and housing crisis.
“In the last three months, NSW has experienced a worrying 21% decline in apprenticeship and traineeship commencements. Now more than ever is not the time to restrict the partnerships that make apprenticeship programs accessible,” Mr Clancy said.
Apprentice Employment Network NSW & ACT Executive Officer Jason Sultana said GTOs have a longstanding history of working with councils. Over the years, local councils have made informed decisions to use GTOs, who are apprentice employment specialists, to achieve higher completion rates and thus more transition into full-time council employment post apprenticeship.
“We are disappointed the NSW Labor Government did not align this program guidelines with other comparable state-funded initiatives, allowing councils the flexibility to employ staff through GTOs without restrictive limitations on employment methods. This should be changed immediately,” said Mr Sultana.
“It’s imperative the NSW Government urgently reconsiders these guidelines and works collaboratively with GTOs to ensure all sectors can play their part in addressing the state’s critical workforce challenges, Mr Clancy said.
