The Hunter Valley Training Company (HVTC) is encouraging the newly elected government to focus on policies that grow skills and revitalise the national uptake of apprenticeships and traineeships.

HVTC CEO, Sharon Smith, welcomed Tony Abbott to the top job while also encouraging the new Government to continue to support group training and its contribution to skills development and career building across the country.

“For more than 30 years, the Australian Government has invested in the group training network recognising the important part it plays in shaping our nation,” Sharon said.

“There are still a range of skill shortages across the country and the training sector needs to be responsive to industry needs. However, to do this the sector must be properly resourced and we are looking for continued Commonwealth leadership in this arena.”

HVTC is Australia’s oldest and largest group training organisation having employed and trained more than 18,000 people over the past 32 years.

As a Group Training Organisation (GTO) they use group training to help develop skills and create jobs, enabling locals to advance their careers through apprenticeships and traineeships.

HVTC employs apprentices and trainees and places them with Host Employers under an agreement to enable the apprentice or trainee to attain the on-the-job skills needed for their vocation.

This means they are able to rotate an apprentice or trainee to other firms if work at the current organisation runs out or vocational competencies cannot be delivered.

Recently the Fair Work Commission increased the award wage for new first and second year apprentices from January 2014 and the HVTC recognises the benefit to apprentices, however are concerned about further financial pressure being placed on businesses.

“While we welcome any funding assistance provided to a young person interested in undertaking an apprenticeship or traineeship, there needs to be more Government support and incentives for businesses to put on trainees and apprentices,” Sharon said.

“After all, it’s the employers who create the training and employment opportunities needed to skill our future generations.”

“We believe one of the ways to boost skills training was to provide increased Government incentives for employers to make it more attractive and affordable to put on apprentices and trainees.”