ACA applauds uncapping of apprentice program as extensive lobbying yields results

The Australian Childcare Alliance has released a statement in which it applauds the Australian Government’s decision to uncap places in its Boosting Apprenticeship Commencement (BAC) wage subsidy initiative. 

 

The move described as a “game changer” will see the current cap of 100,000 apprentice and trainee application limits removed and the program moved to a demand driven model extended for a further twelve months enabling more businesses to participate in the incentive scheme. 

 

Paul Mondo ACA President said “We have been in close talks with the Government over many weeks now about the enormous benefits extending the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencement wage subsidy program would deliver to our sector.” 

 

Mr Mondo acknowledged that the extension of the program is particularly important to the ECEC sector due to extensive educator shortages currently being experienced across the country and cited three additional developments that were putting additional pressure on an already tight availability environment namely;

 

• The unchecked proliferation of new centre builds, particularly in areas that are already experiencing low child occupancy and struggling to find appropriately qualified, job-ready staff;
• The resignation of many older educators who fear the potential health risks posed by the COVID-19 pandemic who are not returning to the workforce;
• The ongoing difficulty of attracting suitable candidates in rural and remote areas

 

“The wage subsidy is a welcome support in addressing this critical recruitment issue,” Mr Mondo said, and “we applaud the Prime Minister and the Minister for Employment, Senator Michaelia Cash for their quick and strategic response.”

 

“This immediate injection of financial support is critical, at a time when across the board, there is a shortage of Cert III and Diploma ECEC candidates in our sector.”

 

To learn more about the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencement wage subsidy initiative please click here.