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MTA Presents to State Cabinet

The MTA was one of the first industry associations to be invited to present to the newly-formed Malinauskas State Government.

“Many interest groups meet with individual Ministers one-on-one, but it is an extraordinarily rare opportunity to present to the entirety of the Premier’s Cabinet” said Kaes Cillessen, the MTA’s Policy and Communications Manager.

“We are well known to ministers with portfolios relating to our industry but most Cabinet ministers were really getting their first chance to understand who the MTA is and what we do as an industry association with more than 1,200 members, a registered training organisation that trains more than 900 young people, and an employer of more than 450 apprentices.

“It was also an opportunity to remind Cabinet the MTA’s commitment to industry and community as the only paint and panel trainer in SA, and a trainer with significant presence in regional areas such as Cleve, Bordertown and Strathalbyn.”

During the presentation, MTA CEO Paul Unerkov took Cabinet through the importance of automotive training to South Australia in meeting skill shortages and in the transition to zero and low emission vehicles.

The presentation was also an opportunity to brief Cabinet on the challenges and opportunities of this transition, what the Government of South Australia can do to support the automotive industry during this transition, as well as matters such as taxation which should be dealt with at a national level.

“While we may not agree on everything, the government demonstrated itself as willing to engage and consult with us,” said Kaes.

“The Association is very appreciative of that.”

MTA ADVOCACY LEADS TO NEW GTO BOOST FUNDING

The State Government has announced a new wage subsidy payment which is available to host employers of apprentices from under-represented groups.

A wage subsidy of $100 per week per apprentice or trainee is available per new training contract from the 1st July 2022 to the 30th June 2023. The subsidy is for a period of twelve months totalling $5,200.

Eligible apprentices must be from the following cohorts:

• Adult Apprentice/Trainee (aged 21 years or over upon commencement)

• School-based Apprentice/Trainee

• Female Apprentice/Trainee

• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Apprentice/Trainee

• An Apprentice/Trainee living with a disability.

The targeted approach is being implemented to maximise outcomes for under-represented groups across all industries and also leverage new initiatives to help address labour shortages.

This wage subsidy will be paid monthly to the GTO which is passed directly to the host employer.

This incentive is only available to host employers. Direct employers are not eligible.

The consistent message the MTA receives is that skills shortages remains the number one challenge for businesses. The MTA has consistently advocated for policies to improve the attraction, retention and completion of local apprentices, particular whilst the labour market remains shallow.

For more information contact Jason Polgreen – General Manager Apprentice Employment Services on 0427 396 007 or at jpolgreen@ mtasant.com.au.

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