Up to $1.2 billion in funding has been put forth to help employers hire 70,000 apprentices in the next year.

The Federal Government’s new, uncapped job-creation plan is designed to help avoid a youth unemployment crisis from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Around 100,000 apprentices have been employed through the ‘Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements’ wage subsidy scheme announced in October last year. 

Business groups have lobbying for longer-term incentives to hire young workers, with the number of people in their 20s holding a job having dropped by 2.5 per cent since the start of the pandemic. 

The Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements scheme is being extended for another 12 months, and the number of apprenticeship places it offers will be uncapped. 

The government expects its scheme will support the hiring of a further 70,000 apprentices in the next twelve months.

It offers a subsidy of 50 per cent of wages paid to a new or recommencing apprentice or trainee for a 12-month period, up to a maximum of $7,000 per quarter.

New apprentices and trainees have until September 30 to sign up for the scheme. More information is accessible here.