Apprentice Kickstart program

The Rudd Government is urging employers to act quickly to capitalise on the extra funding on offer to take on a new apprentice under the $100 million Apprentice Kickstart program which starts on 1 December 2009. Minister for Employment Participation Mark Arbib said the Government was more than tripling the commencement bonus for employers who take on a traditional trades apprentice from today until February 28, 2010. There has never been a better time to take on an apprentice with the bonus for a new apprentice increasing from $1500 to $4850 in their first year, Senator Arbib said. Employers will receive $2350 when they employ a 15 to 19 year old apprentice in an eligible trade and then receive a further $2500 after they complete nine months.