Presented by Robert Clark MP		www.robertclark.net

50,000 new apprenticeships

The State Government has announced funding of $93.8 million for about 50,000 new TAFE places for apprentices and trainees over the next four years.

Many of the new places will be in priority industries such as science and technology and in high-growth areas, including hospitality and services.

The funding part of the 1999-2000 State Budget, which is to be presented on May 4. It will be broken up into $18.1 million in 1999-2000, $23.1 million in 2000-2001 and $26.3 million in each of the two succeeding years.

Last year, Victoria saw a 30% increase in the number of new apprenticeships and traineeships, the highest growth of any state.

According to the Premier, Mr Kennett, reforms over the past three years that have reduced red tape for employers, increased training places and given greater flexibility in training delivery have resulted in a willingness of employers to take on new apprentices.

(News Release, Office of the Premier, April 23, 1999)