Government Support

DAVID PISONI MP - MINISTER FOR INNOVATION AND SKILLS

The Marshall Liberal Government is supporting the hospitality sector as the state continues its economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

While it hasn’t been all smooth sailing for pubs, hotels and restaurants, the key to supporting a vibrant industry is having skilled people ready and willing to work.

And there are plenty of jobs. Latest ABS Job Vacancies data for March 2021 show that South Australian private sector job vacancies rose by 30 per cent in the three months to February and were 73 per cent higher than a year earlier. This includes across the hospitality and tourism sectors.

There has never been a better time to hire an apprentice or trainee to grow your business. The Marshall Government continues to work with the Australian Hotels Association to promote the significant training incentives currently available.

The Australian Government has extended the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements 50 per cent wage subsidy, capped at $28,000 over 12 months for employers.

The subsidy applies to all eligible employers who sign up an apprentice or trainee before 30 September 2021.

Up to 30 existing workers are eligible from each organisation, while new apprentices and trainees are unlimited.

The subsidy provides up to 50 per cent of gross wages paid for a full 12 months, to a maximum of $7,000 per quarter.

State Government incentives include the Group Training Boost, which we have extended until the end of June, offering a reduced charge out rate to host employers of up to $200 per week, per apprentice for six months.

It’s available for a limited time for training contracts at Certificate II level or higher that are in place by 30 June, 2021.

The State Government through our $200 million Skilling South Australia program is driving a skills-led recovery – supporting people into skilled careers. One example of this is the “Apprentice Today, Chef for Life” program, to create up to 130 skilled jobs as part of a $136,000 Skilling South Australia project.

Participants will finish their training armed with a Certificate III in Commercial Cookery or a Certificate III in Hospitality.

The project includes training in COVID-19 requirements for the hospitality industry, with businesses skilling their people with accredited infection prevention and control through COVID-19 clean training.

Venues such as The Strathmore Hotel, the Bridgewater Inn, The Haus in Hahndorf, the Woodville Hotel, the Brompton Hotel and the National Wine Centre have taken on trainees in this program.

We are providing the tools that enable businesses to evolve, adapt and grow.