Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

The Gillard government's investment in training has produced outstanding results in recent years, with record numbers of Australians in traineeships and apprenticeships. Numbers are now at historical highs, with around 448,000 Australians undertaking apprenticeships and traineeships.

But, even with this success, the Gillard government recognised the need for reform when we commissioned an independent review of the Australian apprenticeships system by an expert panel last year. That report provides a clear direction for reform of the Australian apprenticeship system. The package announced in the budget this year is the Gillard government's initial direction-setting response to the panel's recom­mendation and is informed by stakeholder consultations. We are investing over $200 million in initiatives to boost apprenticeship completion rates by introducing mentoring support and competency based training that allow us to see more apprentices start and complete their apprenticeships and join the workforce with high skills. (Time expired)