The Federal Government has added 23 new organisations to the Australian Apprenticeships Support Service providers fro the 2012-14 period.

 

Federal Minister for Skills, Senator Chris Evans, announced the expansion of the program after recent projections from Skills Australia show that Australia will need an additional 2.1 million skills qualified people in the workforce by 2015.

 

"It's vital that we maintain the momentum from our record investment in apprenticeships - a more skilled and adaptable workforce is critical to Australia's long-term economic success,” Senator Evans said.

 

Our reforms of the apprenticeship system will ensure the apprenticeship system can provide the skilled workers that Australia's new economy will need."

 

Across Australia, 23 organisations have accepted two-year contracts worth more than $400 million to deliver Australian Apprenticeships Support Services for apprentices and their employers, including job matching and centralised, nationally-consistent administration.

 

"These new contracts will better support both employers, to meet the skills needs of their business, and apprentices to complete a life changing qualification" Senator Evans said.

 

"The new support service providers will ensure apprentices, and the businesses taking them on, have the support they need to begin and complete their training.

 

The full list of participating organisations can be found here