30,000 employers right Apprentices back in force

30,000 employers are right Apprentices back in force

Some 30,000 employers now access industry training through an Industry Training Organisation (ITO) and nearly 400 new employers are getting subsidised training through their ITO every month.

“Employers are recognising that skills development is vital to the success of their business” said Darel Hall, Executive Director of the Industry Training Federation (ITF).

“In addition, employers are seeing that their ITO is doing the job for them in setting industry skill standards, creating industry relevant qualifications, organising training, and managing all the background requirements.

“This resulted in a 19% increase in employers involved in industry training in 2003. Employee involvement rose by the same percentage to 126,870 people involved in apprenticeships and training.

“The Government’s target of 150,000 apprentices and trainees by 2005 is well in hand. The key to this result is increased Government funding matched by increased employer contributions.

“The next goal we all want to achieve is 250,000 apprentices and trainees by 2007. The figures released yesterday indicate that we need to almost double the number of employers engaged in skills development through their ITO.

“Without employers there is no training so we need to continue to support them to achieve this goal”.

© Scoop Media