Presented by Robert Clark MP		www.robertclark.net

Apprenticeship numbers lower under Labor

Tertiary Education and Training Minister Phil Honeywood has labelled Labor’s election promise to create just 15,550 extra apprenticeships over the next four years a sell-out of young Victorians.

Mr Honeywood contrasted this with the Coalition’s commitment of $93.8 million over the next four years to create an extra 50,000 apprenticeship and traineeship opportunities for young Victorians.

The extra apprenticeships are in addition to the record high 61,000 apprenticeships currently in Victoria.

The Coalition has also committed to a four-year, $23-million Training Guarantee for about 6000 young unemployed Victorians. The Training Guarantee will provide 15 to 17 year-olds receiving the Youth Allowance with 400 hours free training.

"Between 1982 and 1992, the number of apprentices and trainees falling from 41,155 to 36,248 — a 13.5% decrease.

"The Coalition Government has turned around this disastrous situation taking the total number of apprentices and trainees to more than 61,000 this year — the most ever," he said.

Mr Honeywood said Labor’s proposal to abolish the right of employers to choose where their apprentices and trainees are trained and the threat to abolish the successful State Training Board would also lead to a major downturn in the number of new apprentices.The State Training Board provides expert advice to government on the training needs of business and industry. It is also an essential service for employers offering training support, advice and communicating their views to government bodies.

(News Release, Office of the Minister for Tertiary Education and Training, 9 September 1999)