New COAG Apprenticeship Taskforce

In response to the Global Economic Crisis, in April 2009 COAG recommended the establishment of an Australian Apprenticeships Taskforce. The Taskforce agreed to the establishment of a trilateral time-limited taskforce between members of the COAG Skills and Workforce Development subgroup and industry, with agreed industry co-chairs, to undertake urgent work supporting participation in Australian Apprenticeships during the current economic downturn, with an action plan to be provided to COAG.

BICCIAB's initial submission outlined our suggestions for supporting apprentices. Our main comments were - implement support for apprentices but at the same time keep the integrity of apprenticeship, provide incentives for employers, support for national licencing, increase the number of apprenticeship field officers, implement a minimum number of apprentices on government contracts and increase the availability of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

The second options paper produced by the Taskforce was released in September and provided a number of worthwhile incentives to retain apprentices that could be ranked. Click here to download a copy of this report. We are interested in your thoughts! Email us now

UPDATE: As a result of the COAG taskforce two initiatives have been released. Visit our Latest News page story on the Apprentice Kickstart Package for more information.