Funding

Financial assistance, administered by New Apprenticeships Centres (NACs), is available to employers from and Australian and state and territory governments. You must therefore apply for employer incentives via your chosen NAC who will provide you with application and claim forms and assistance in lodging claims and follow-up claims as and when they become due. Australian Government incentives may vary and change depending on government policy. Following is an overview of standard and special incentives that currently apply. Check with your local NAC to find out which Australian Government employer incentives you are eligible for.  1. Standard incentives are: Commencement incentive for Certificate II of $1,375 Commencement incentives for Certificate III and IV of $1,650 Recommencement incentive for employers recommencing an out-of-trade Certificate III/IV New Apprenticeship of $825 Completion incentives for Certificate III and IV of $2,750.   2. Special incentives include: Innovation - special commencement incentive of $1210 for an employer who employs New Apprentices (Certificate III/IV qualifications) in areas of innovation such as aero skills, telecommunications, laboratory operations, information technology and electro technology Additional commencement incentive of $825 for an employer who employs a New Apprentice in an endorsed School Based New Apprenticeship at Certificate II, III and IV Rural and Regional Skill Shortage special commencement incentive of $1100 for Certificate III and IV training in an occupation identified as a skills shortage in a non-metropolitan area Additional commencement and completion incentives of $825 each for employers who employ an eligible New Apprenctice who is a Mature Aged Worker. Additional commencement incentive for employers of $1100 who commence Women in Non-traditional New Apprenticeships Additional commencement and completion incentives of $1650 for employers who commence an eligible New Apprentice in an approved Sporting Operations Certificate II qualification Additional commencement and completion incentives of $1650 each for employers of eligible rural Certificate II New Apprentices who have a current "Exceptional Circumstances Drought Declared Area" certificate.   3. Other benefits: Assistance for New Apprentices with a disability including: wage support assistance for tutorial, interpreter and mentor services workplace modification assistance is available to the employer.

Benefits

Provide real benefits by producing a more productive worker familiar with the needs of business and trained for a specific industry. New Apprenticeships is a term that covers all apprenticeships and traineeships. Benefits of training Research has found that training provides a positive return on investment (ROI) and helps businesses in the areas of: productivity savings on materials and capital costs worker motivation improved quality and service staff retention. Wide range of New Apprenticeships New Apprenticeships courses are designed by industry for industry and are available in more than 500 occupations across Australia, ranging from construction to multimedia. Flexibility New Apprenticeships are flexible and provide a wide choice of training options. They offer the opportunity of full- or part-time employment. That means you're able to fill gaps on staff rosters for any period of time, from one to several days per week. Ensuring the right skills The New Apprenticeships system allows for better "quality assurance" of training which ensures that you get both a competent employee and that the skills required by your industry are preserved and passed on to others. Support New Apprenticeships Centres and group training organisations can provide you with information, help and support at all stages of the New Apprenticeships cycle. From recruiting a New Apprentice to receiving funding and incentives from government to managing and completing a New Apprenticeship within your business. Funding and incentives New Apprenticeships attract financial assistance from both Australian and state and territory governments for eligible employers to help reduce the cost of training. Wages A New Apprentice is usually paid a reduced training wage, reflecting the time the employee spends in training.

Employment conditions

The conditions of employment for New Apprentices are the same as for other employees working in similar occupations. This includes hours of work, overtime, holidays, sick leave, superannuation and other penalty provisions. Additional working conditions for New Apprentices require you to ensure they have: every opportunity to learn the skills and acquire the knowledge of their trade or traineeship access to structured on and/or off-the-job training paid time off work to attend training when necessary a safe working environment. It is your responsibility to inform your New Apprentice of the employment conditions under which they will be working. Employment conditions that are required by law include: Wages and awards All New Apprentices must be employed under an appropriate award or approved workplace agreement. You are required by law to have a copy of this award or agreement. Your New Apprentices must receive a pay slip that includes details such as the period of employment to which the pay relates, the hours worked (including overtime), gross pay, tax deducted, other deductions and net pay. Other obligations Your New Apprentice is eligible to receive the same entitlements as your full-time employees such as: Leave (sick leave, annual leave, parental leave, bereavement leave) Allowances (tool allowance, uniform or laundry allowance, travel allowance) as set out in the relevant legislation, industrial award or workplace agreement Employer superannuation contributions. State Legislation New Apprentices are also covered by state or territory legislation such as anti-discrimination laws and Occupational Health and Safety laws in the workplace. Fair treatment New Apprentices should be treated the same as any other employee and be able to take action if they feel they have been bullied, harassed, discriminated against or their safety has been jeopardised. Probationary period The probationary period stipulated in the New Apprenticeship/Traineeship Training Contract allows you to assess your New Apprentice before taking them on permanently. The minimum age for a New Apprenticeship is 15. There is no upper age limit. Participation in school-based traineeships requires the consent of the parent and the school. Number of New Apprentices There is no limit to the number of New Apprentices you can employ, as long as you provide adequate supervision and training for each New Apprentice. In some New Apprenticeships this may require a fixed ratio of supervisor to New Apprentices. Workers' compensation Apprentices and trainees are entitled to workers' compensation. The NSW state government offers exemptions on workers’ compensation for New Apprentices under certain conditions. For more information on employment conditions contact your local New Apprenticeships Centre or your State or Territory training authority.

Obligations

Under the legally binding Apprenticeship/Traineeship Training Contract, New Apprentices must make every effort to acquire the skills and knowledge required to successfully complete their course.The Apprenticeship / Traineeship Training Contract is a formal agreement between you and your New Apprentice. It's a legally binding document that outlines the obligations you have to your New Apprentice. The essence of a New Apprenticeship is on-the-job training and the work experience that the New Apprentice will gain. You are responsible for ensuring that the New Apprentice has access to the full range of work required to develop the skills and industry knowledge they need on the job. National Code of Good Practice for New Apprenticeships

Costs of training staff

Training is an investment in your business, and as with any investment there is an initial cost. The costs of training may include: -tuition costs - ask your training provider for a full breakdown of training costs -cost of resources required for the training eg, books, raw materials possible transport and accommodation costs -if training is offsite cost of providing facilities for onsite training cost of hiring temporary replacements for staff occupied with training administration costs, including extra insurance and record keeping cost of recruitment and wages in the case of New Apprenticeships. There are numerous vocational education and training (VET) initiatives that minimise the cost of training. These include: Funding - the Australian, state and territory governments encourage participation in VET by offering financial incentives and funding for training. As an employer you may be eligible for government funding, particularly in the case of New Apprenticeships. Targeted & quality training - accredited training that addresses both your business and employee needs will ensure a positive return on investment. Flexible learning - flexible training options such as online learning or inhouse training may be a suitable cost effective solution.