Australian Apprenticeships Mentoring Program

The Australian Apprenticeships Mentoring program is targeted at industries and occupations with current or emerging skills need and Australian Apprentices who may face barriers to participation and may be at risk of withdrawing. It aims to increase the retention rates of Australian Apprentices in order to improve completion rates and support the supply of skilled workers in sectors and occupations where there is a current or emerging skills need.

Funding will support targeted mentoring to help Australian Apprentices successfully progress through their apprenticeships. Mentoring projects may also involve support for employers and supervisors in order to better support Australian Apprentices.

Who does the Mentoring program target?

The Mentoring program is targeted at Australian Apprentices:

  • in industries or occupations with demonstrated skills need, particularly those employed in small to medium enterprises; and
  • who may face additional barriers to participation.

What are the priority groups?

Australian Apprentices who may face additional barriers to participation include one or more of the following priority groups:

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australian Apprentices;
  • Australian Apprentices from regional and remote areas;
  • Australian Apprentices with disability;
  • Australian School based Apprentices (i.e. an Australian Apprenticeship which is undertaken part-time while the Australian Apprentice is at school);
  • Female and male Australian Apprentices in non-traditional occupations;
  • Australian Apprentices who have experienced long term unemployment (e.g. stream 4 under Job Services Australia classification);
  • Australian Apprentices who are mature workers (e.g. those aged 45 years and older);
  • Australian Apprentices who are considered vulnerable youth (e.g. young people 25 years and under with identified barriers to participation); and
  • Australian Apprentices who have been impacted by industry/sector structural change and may need additional support as they undertake their training.

The Mentoring program includes a focus on support for the first year of training when Australian Apprentices are most at risk of withdrawing, however this will depend on the needs of the cohort(s) targeted for support.

Are industry-led proposals encouraged?

Yes. Under the Mentoring Program, industry-led proposals are encouraged. Where individual employers are seeking funding, they may benefit from partnering with a peak industry organisation to deliver effective mentoring and/or adviser projects.

How much funding is available?

Approximately $15 million is available to fund mentoring projects through Australian Government Skills Connect in 2011-12.