The NRA is delighted to announce that it is partnering with employment organisation BUSY At Work to deliver a new apprentice program called Industry Specialist Mentoring for Australian Apprentices (ISMAA) that will support over 40,000 apprentices nationwide.
This will include intensive support to retail apprentices and trainees in the first two years of training in South-East QLD.
The program was announced this morning by Federal Minister for Vocational Education and Skills Karen Andrews on the Gold Coast and will see over $60 million invested by the federal government.
NRA CEO Dominique Lamb said that ISMAA will offer significant support to apprentices.
“The NRA is proud to be one of several industry bodies partnering with BUSY At Work to help deliver the ISMAA program and we believe that it will build on the support currently provided via the Australian Apprenticeship Support Network,” Ms Lamb said.
“Retail is the largest employer of young people in Australia, which includes a significant number of apprentices.
“The ISMAA program will assist greatly in increasing the retention and completion rates for apprentices in several key industries, including retail.”
A total of 24 organisations were selected through a comprehensive tender process and will provide specialist mentoring services to apprentices across 8 industries.
The ISMAA program will be aimed at apprentices in industries currently undergoing structural change and contracts have been awarded to BUSY At Work in QLD, NSW, NT, SA, VIC and WA.
Further information on the details of the program can be found at https://busyatwork.com.au/community-services/ismaa/.