2000th apprentice receives $1000 Early Completion Bonus

The State Government’s $1000 Early Completion Bonus has now helped inspire 2000 Queensland apprentices to finish their training ahead of schedule.

Education and Training Minister Rod Welford said the bonus, payable to eligible apprentices who finish their training more than six months early, was helping to alleviate skills shortages throughout the state.

“This important incentive is providing Queensland with more qualified workers, sooner, in industries affected by skills shortages,” Mr Welford said.

“Since its introduction last year, the bonus has helped 2000 highly motivated apprentices enter the workforce as fully qualified tradespeople, bringing with them much needed skills.

“This includes more than 1000 apprentices in regional areas, where skills shortages are particularly serious.

“Another encouraging sign is that more than half of the apprentices receiving the bonus have been in the construction and engineering trades, two of the industries most affected by skills shortages.”

Mr Welford said it was important to offer strategies and incentives to ensure the increasing numbers of young Queenslanders commencing apprenticeships completed their training.

“Recent figures released by the National Centre for Vocational Education and Research show Queensland apprenticeship commencement and completion rates are increasing at a much faster rate than the national average, but more still needs to be done,” he said.

“That is why in addition to the $1000 Early Completion Bonus, our Government has introduced the Train to Retain initiative which aims to support apprentices throughout their training.

“Train to Retain is part of the $1 billion Queensland Skills Plan, which is helping to ensure our state is at the forefront of the fight against skills shortages.”

For more information on the $1000 Early Completion Bonus, the Queensland Skills Plan and Train to Retain go to www.trainandemploy.qld.gov.au

Media contact: Marnie Stitz on 3237 1000 or 0419 734 985