The Australian Apprenticeships Mentoring Program (Mentoring Program) was announced in the 2011-12 Budget as part of the $101 million Australian Apprenticeships Mentoring package. The package forms part of the Australian Government’s initial response to the recommendations of the Apprenticeships for the 21st Century Expert Panel.
The Mentoring Program seeks to improve Australian Apprenticeship retention rates through the provision of approximately $80 million over four years to support targeted mentoring and assistance to Australian Apprentices. The Mentoring Program is targeted at industries and occupations with current or emerging skills need and Australian Apprentices who may face barriers to participation (e.g. Indigenous Apprentices or Apprentices in remote locations). It is anticipated that Mentoring Projects will target support to the first year of training when Australian Apprentices are most at risk of withdrawing.
The Australian Apprenticeships Mentoring Program Guidelines have now been released and the Program is open to receive applications for funding. The Program Guidelines, application for funding and an example of a Funding Agreement are available below.
Applicants will also need to electronically submit a Financial Viability form with their application for funding – this form is available on request from the email address provided below.
Australian Government Skills Connect is a new service designed to help link eligible Australian enterprises with a range of skills and workforce development programs and funding. It brings together funding from six different training and workforce development programs to better target industry and worker training. Australian Government Skills Connect will allow employers to address their overall workforce development needs, and the Australian Apprenticeships Mentoring program can be accessed via this new service. Further information and a Request for Assistance form can be found at http://www.skills.gov.au/SkillsConnect
Additional information on Australian Apprenticeships Budget measures can be found on the Budget 2011 page and further information on Budget measures can be found at www.deewr.gov.au/budget.
Email mentoringpackage@deewr.gov.au or call 133 873 (8.00 am to 6.00 pm, Monday to Friday)