Trade aid cut

By Melissa Meehan
APPRENTICES living in the Yarra Valley have been dealt a significant blow after it has been announced that two key incentive schemes to assist rural apprentices have been scrapped by the Labor Government.
The Opposition spokesman for Education, Apprentices and Training, Tony Smith, said the Labor Government’s decision to axe the Living Away From Home Allowance and the Apprenticeships Incentives for Agriculture and Horticulture apprentices would adversely affect apprentices and employers.
“In scrapping these programs, the new Rudd Labor Government has shown just how much it cares about rural and regional apprentices,” Mr Smith said.
“At the same time Labor is boasting about its plans to increase trade training places, they’re stripping away the support for apprentices to complete their training.”
Liberal Evelyn MP Christine Fyffe also criticised the move.
“Last year numerous people left the agricultural and horticultural industry as the drought crippled rural regions including the Yarra Ranges,” Ms Fyffe said.
“If the Government fails to plan for the future, when the drought breaks the shortages we are experiencing now will become chronic.”
Ms Fyffe said that she was contacted by business owners in the Yarra Ranges which belonged to the horticultural industry.
“They are understandably very concerned about the long term ramifications of such a decision. It does not look hopeful,” Ms Fyffe said.
Owner of Larkman Nursery in Wandin Clive Larkman said that he was disappointed by the Government’s decision to stop the incentives.
“There are already problems getting apprentices into the agriculture and horticulture industries all around Australia,” Mr Larkman said.
“Young people don’t see the rural industry as attractive any more – mum and dad want them to go to university.” Mr Larkman said that apprentice wages were not unreasonable for 15 to 17-year-olds but said it was difficult for 18-year-olds to survive on $7 an hour.
“Most young people are encouraged to complete their Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) these days and that means that they don’t start their apprenticeships until they are at least 18,” Mr Larkman said.
“The costs of living, including petrol and living away from home are very high and without these incentives we will face another skills shortage.”
Mr Smith said the Apprenticeships Incentives for the Agriculture and Horticulture program, which was announced in August last year, provided $47.7 million in assistance to encourage workers back into the agriculture and horticulture industries.
The incentives included $800 grants for tool kits and up to $1000 to help with training fees.
“Agriculture and horticulture is a vitally important industry and we need to do all we can to support and encourage new apprentices,” Mr Smith said.
“Last year, around 50,000 people left the agriculture and horticulture industry in Australia due to the drought so we need to ensure that when the drought eases we aren’t left with a skills shortage.”
“The Rudd Labor Government will have no chance of increasing trades training and addressing skills shortages if it cuts off incentives for apprentices in rural areas.”