Additionally, to assist employers in reducing the overall “commercial costs” of training, Australian Apprenticeships attract government financial assistance for “eligible employers” only. Some of which include:

» Commencement and completion incentives totalling $4000 (for Certificate III apprenticeships)
» 1 x $1000 incentive for employers in rural areas employing Certificate III apprentices in Motor Mechanics, Panel Beating, Auto Electrical and Spray Painting
» 1 x $750 employer incentive paid when employing a mature aged worker (45 years or older)
» 1 x $750 incentive for employing a school based apprentice and an additional $750 for continuing apprentice’s employment beyond completion of year 12
» Various disability incentives
» The Securing Australian Apprenticeships Initiative provides a Recommencement Bonus of $1,800 payable 12 weeks after recommencement (for recommencements between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2010) and a Completion Bonus of $1,000 payable upon successful completion in respect of eligible Australian Apprentices who successfully complete on or after 1 January 2009
» Support for Adult Australian Apprentices
» Apprentice Kickstart Bonus of $3,350 for employers who commence an eligible Australian Apprentice who is aged 19 years and under between 1 December 2009 and 28 February 2010 in a qualification leading to a traditional trade occupation.

All the above incentives are subject to conditions. For a full range of employer incentives, please visit www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au/employer or you may wish to contact your Australian Apprenticeship Centre.

Australian Apprentice Centres

Your Australian Apprentice or Trainee must be registered with the State Training Authority within 28 days if in NSW. Employers wishing to employ an apprentice should contact an Australian Apprenticeship Centre as soon as the apprentice/trainee is engaged on the probationary period so as to establish a training contract. This process will not impact on the statutory probationary period unless you waive your entitlement. The Motor Traders Association of NSW recommends that members utilise the services of MEGT’s Australian Apprenticeships Centre (Ph: 13 63 48). Members advising MEGT that the MTA has referred them will receive the following free service:
» Advice on the range of New Apprenticeship options
» Develop an entry level training strategy to suit the particular needs of your business
» Assist with the paperwork
» Assist with access to the job seeker network
» Advice on all financial and other incentives that your business is entitled to when employing New Apprentices and assist in the processing of such paperwork
» Initiate the funding entitlements into the employer’s bank account

Can MTA Deliver the Training to your Apprentice or Trainee?

MTA NSW is a Registered Training Organisation and can offer a wide range of automotive traineeships and apprenticeships that are nationally recognised across most of NSW. Traineeships and apprenticeships offered by MTA NSW are delivered in the workplace at a convenient time for you. The benefits of using MTA NSW for your apprenticeship and traineeship training are:
» The delivery of training is flexible to meet the business’ needs
» MTA will work with the employer to develop a training program best suited to their apprentice or trainee
» MTA will conduct the majority of training on the employers premises
» The employer will be provided with regular clear reports on their apprentices’ progress
» There are no specific enrolment dates so training can commence as soon as they are employed
» There are possible government incentives available
» Fees are compatible to other registered training organisations
» Trainees and apprentices gain nationally recognized qualifications
For more information on the type of training that MTA NSW offers please contact the MTA Training Department on 02 9213 4222.

Letters of Appointment for Apprentices Commencing Work

A Letter of Appointment should be prepared which sets out the basic terms and conditions of employment. The letter should establish a probationary period, which is generally up to 3 months for apprentices and up to 1 month for trainees. It should be signed by both the employer and the apprentice/trainee and the signatures should be witnessed. The Letter of Appointment should set in place for you and the apprentice a fixed term contract of employment for the term of the apprenticeship. This means that upon completion of the apprenticeship the contract comes to an end. The employer is under no obligation to continue to employ the apprentice as a tradesman. Ultimately this arrangement is designed to try and overcome the trend in some tribunals to deem that although the training contract has concluded the employment contract is continuous. For a pro forma letter of appointment for Apprentices, ERIS subscribers may download this from the ERIS website under the Apprentices or Recruitment sections.