9 May 2002
NZ ministers have announced the government would spend $230 million on its apprenticeship boost scheme as part of its Budget this year.
The funding is expected provide 38,000 apprenticeship support places, although 14,000 of those would arrive after 5 August when a lower first-year subsidy of $500 a month will kick in.
The second-year subsidy rate would remain at the current $500 a month until the initiative ends in December 2023.
Minister Hipkins attributed a 55 percent increase in apprentices over the past two years - from 37,000 to 56,000 by February 2022 - to the government's previous investments in trades training, which he said had benefited more than 190,000 people.
"A locally trained workforce provides for greater economic security. It delivers a highly skilled workforce to build infrastructure, or design the technology needed to future-proof the economy while ensuring good jobs for New Zealanders," he said.
It was "in large part" what had kept New Zealand's unemployment at record lows of 3.2 percent, and economic activity above what it was before the Covid-19 pandemic, he said.
The government also plans to spend $10.9m to fund 1600 Mana in Mahi places, and $66.2m to continue support for the Māori Trades and Training Fund, both spread over three years.
In a statement, Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni said Mana in Mahi had been incredibly successful, supporting over 4719 young New Zealanders into work and training.
Source. Radio New Zealand
Comment
The Rural Training Centres in the Solomon Islands provide a form of apprenticeship training to youths who benefit from learning skills in woodcraft and metal work, but I a not sure about developing other skills in such trades as brick laying, plumbing or engineering.
The sad fact is there are not the jobs for the trained apprentices in industry in the Solomon Islands to be engaged and earn an income.
Could the form of apprenticeship ship training at a local RTC be recognised by Australia, for example, to facilitate work in trade opportunities in that country?
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
