500 extra Modern Apprenticeships a good start

Steve Maharey the Minister of Education (Tertiary Education) has announced funding for 500 more Modern Apprentices this financial year. This is in addition to budgeted funding, although the target of 7,500 Modern Apprenticeships by June 2006 remains unchanged. Modern Apprenticeships are for 16 - 21 year olds.

"This announcement represents an extra 500 good starts for young people", said Darel Hall, Executive Director of the Industry Training Federation. "There is no doubt that industry training including the Modern Apprenticeship Programme is an excellent way to get the skills needed for a career. All 107,000 industry trainees and Modern Apprentices earn while they learn so there is no need for a student loan.

The programme has been more successful than anticipated. This has been shown by the increasing demand for Modern Apprenticeships by young people, parents and industry. A recent Industry Training Federation (ITF) survey of Industry Training Organisations shows that many more young people could be placed in Modern Apprenticeships.

"The ITF believes the targets for Modern Apprenticeships need to be reviewed. Recent growth backed by current research shows the 7,500 target is now inadequate", said Darel Hall Executive Director of the Industry Training Federation.

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