To coincide with the launch of the 370˚ skills centre in Brunswick, Senator Mark Arbib, Minister for Employment Participation also visited another important Training Centre responsible for delivering the Skills Enhancement Pilot program. Introduced in early 2009, the SEP program assisted electrical apprentices who were out of employment and at risk of looking their apprenticeship due to economic downturn in the Building and Construction sector, to stay in the trade. SEP allowed them to continue building on their skills by undertaking practical application at the SEP training centre 3 days per a week, trade school for 1 day and the final day focused on job search. Time in the program is credited to the apprenticeship upon recommencement with an employer.
Senator Mark Arbib shares, “Programs like this have able to keep in touch a huge number of young people so they still, even though they might not have a job, get training, get up skilled and keep connected to the industry so that when the economy starts to pick up, they can move straight back into employment.”
“The work that the department has done in analyzing shows this program has been a complete success”.
