A new Government body has been established to help connect apprentices and trainees with learning and job opportunities.
Acting Premier James Merlino said Apprenticeships Victoria (AV) would coordinate and oversee all aspects of the delivery of apprenticeships.
“It will provide a point of contact for Victorians as they complete their apprenticeship and provide support by removing barriers for students and workers looking to upskill, creating better pathways to the workforce, fostering connections for employers and industry, and overseeing programs like Big Build Apprenticeships,” Mr Merlino said.
“A walk-in AV hub will open mid-2021 in the CBD with dedicated staff to help foster the next generation of highly skilled workers,” he said.
Mr Merlino said the Big Build Apprenticeships would provide 1,500 opportunities to Victorian apprentices and trainees each year for four years.
The Acting Premier said Big Build apprentices would kickstart their careers on some of the State’s largest projects, including the new Footscray Hospital, North East Link and Warrnambool Learning and Library Hub.
“At least 10 per cent of the construction hours on these projects will be completed by apprentices and trainees, strengthening pathways from the classroom to the workforce and supporting employers by increasing the pool of highly skilled workers in Victoria,” he said.
Mr Merlino encouraged school leavers and young people to get involved and said priority would be given to workers who were affected by the pandemic; disadvantaged Victorians; and groups who were under-represented in the construction industry.
