QLD Government to offer personalised alerts to support ECEC to employ trainees

The Queensland Government has developed a series of easy-to-follow resources to make the apprenticeship and traineeship process as straightforward as possible for employers of all types, including early childhood education and care (ECEC). 

 

Personalised text alerts and tutorial videos have been designed to support those businesses with no HR Departments to be across the timelines and requirements of employing an apprentice or trainee, Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer explained. 

 

“Each year small businesses and other operations across the state work through the steps to recruit and train the next generation of skilled workers,” Ms Farmer said. “We need to ensure these training pathways continue to develop the skilled workforce the state needs.”

 

“However, we know it can be tricky for small businesses with no HR departments to be across the timelines and requirements, so we’ve responded after listening to business owners who are juggling the obligations of their training contracts.”

 

The SMS system will help to keep employers updated on their obligations and training milestones, as well as updated information, and short videos on the Business Queensland website will cover the benefits and issues employers can face to support the system to work better for them. 

 

“I hope these measures will support more businesses to sign up more apprentices and trainees who will go on to complete their qualifications and become the skilled workers their employers and this state need in the future,” Ms Farmer said.

 

The Queensland Government also provides a range of support and funding including free apprenticeships for under 25s, travel and accommodation subsidies, insurance discounts and payroll tax exemptions.

 

“We have seen the number of apprentice and trainee commencements increasing despite the challenges business have faced, which has in turn raised the number of apprentices and trainees in training to its highest number in years,” the Minister added.

 

In the year to May 2021, there were over 40,000 apprenticeship and traineeship commencements, which is a 47 per cent increase on the previous year. 

 

“Supporting their employers will help to improve the retention and completion rate so that Queensland can call on more skilled workers,” Ms Farmer emphasised.

 

“Ensuring our skilled workforce meets returning and new demand, without skills shortages limiting opportunities, is vital.”

 

Further information is available here, or by calling 1300 654 687.