Government wage subsidy a boost for mining regions

The Australian Government’s announcement today of a 50 per cent wage subsidy to support businesses to employ 100,000 new and recommencing apprentices and trainees is a huge boost for skills across Australia.

It will go a long way in helping companies employ young Australians seeking a career in apprenticeships and trades providing a pipeline of qualified skilled staff well into the future.

This announcement is welcome news for Australian mining regions, where the minerals industry is supporting jobs and regional economies.

Regional Australian communities need more support as the nation rebounds from the COVID-19 pandemic which has hit young Australians and their job prospects hard.

In particular, the sector has sustained its backing for apprenticeships. The resources sector currently employs 8,836 apprentices and trainees.

Recent National Centre for Vocational Education Research figures show that while apprenticeships across all industries were down 11 per cent, the mining industry only experienced a 1.41 per cent decrease.

The broader Australian minerals industry aims to create more than 5000 apprenticeships working in partnership with the Australian Government through the Mining Skills Organisation Pilot.

The success of Australia’s resources sector – including its ability to meet strong export demand – depends on a highly skilled workforce which is qualified and experienced in a range of scientific and environmental fields, professional occupations and trades.

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