Budget 2020/21 – focus on young jobseekers 

In acknowledging the significant impact of COVID-19 on the labour market (particularly for young job seekers), the Australian Government last week announced their Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements wage subsidy. The $1.2 billion Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements wage subsidy will support businesses and group training organisations to take on new apprentices and trainees, to build a pipeline of skilled workers to support sustained economic recovery. 

In short, any business or group training organisation that engages an Australian Apprentice on or after 5 October 2020 may be eligible for a subsidy of 50% of wages paid to an apprentice between 5 October 2020 and 30 September 2021, to a maximum of $7,000 per quarter. 

This assistance will support 100,000 new apprentices across Australia and is in addition to the Supporting Apprentices and Trainees wage subsidy, which is helping small and medium businesses to keep their apprentices and trainees in work and training. 

This announcement is great news for students who thinking of pursuing an Apprenticeship in 2021. As indicated in the last newsletter, if you/your child is thinking of pursuing an apprenticeship or traineeship in 2021, it is time to be proactive! 

Reach out to your networks (i.e. family, friends and teammates). Let them know you are looking for an apprenticeship/traineeship. Ensure that your resume is up to date and you have a cover letter that can be customised; depending on the employer you are applying to. I would similarly encourage you to engage with group training organisations and Australian Apprenticeship Support Network’s (AASN), for example, MEGT, Sarina Russo and AGA – Apprenticeships Plus. 

Please come and speak to me to discuss your (your child’s) interest in pursuing an apprenticeship/traineeship. 

AFL Sports Ready Traineeship – Casey Grammar School 

Expressions of interest are currently being sought for a trainee to join the Casey Grammar Sport, HPE and OED department/s in 2021. 

The successful applicant will be highly motivated, organised and friendly. They will need to be available for camps and excursions that extend beyond normal school hours and some weekend events. Applications (including a cover letter and resume) should be forwarded to Mrs Blythman by 30 October 2020 s.blythman@caseygrammar.vic.edu.au. If you have any questions regarding the position, please speak to Ms. Blythman or Ms O’Driscoll.

Congratulations! 

Finally, I wanted to congratulate our Year 12 cohort for successfully submitting timely VTAC applications (30 September). There is a huge amount of work that goes into preparing the required evidence and statements to support their applications and our Year 12s should be commended for navigating this complex process whilst also managing remote learning. Well done! 

In positive news - approximately 1/3 of our students (of those who submitted application/s) have received early offers to study in 2021. This is a wonderful achievement for these students and certainly alleviates some anxiety as we move towards the exam period. Well done.

Mrs Sarah Blythman

Head of Careers and Student Pathways

Email: s.blythman@caseygrammar.vic.edu.au