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You are 25 years or older and unsatisfied with your job situation? May be you simply think it’s time to learn some new skills and redirect your career? Fine! This might be something for you. The Australian government runs a “Support for Adult Australian Apprentices payment initiative”.

The initiative’s goal is to encourage adult workers to skill up through an Australian apprenticeship and fill the gap in the labour marked that’s caused by the retirement of older workers.  Like NSW many other regions in Australia suffer under massive skill shortages in certain trades because the number of young apprentices is insufficient.

Therefore, the government’s payment initiative provides financial support to Australian Employers and apprentices, if the apprentice is least 25 years old and starts his apprenticeship after the 1st of January 2010. Another Condition to benefit from the government’s program is that you have to choose a trade which is listed in the national skill needs list and complete this apprenticeship at Certificate III or IV level.

During year one of the apprenticeship either the employer or the apprentice can benefit from a weekly $150 payment ($7.800 per year) which reduces to $100 per week in the second year ($5.200) per year.

This bonus is available for everyone from 25 to 90+ years of age and might ease the decision to go back to job training if you already have an income in your old profession. Even if you are too young to benefit from this initiative, think about friends that might be interested in changing their career and keep in mind: it’s never too late to take up a trade and start an apprenticeship.

Images by USACE Europe District.