The Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) has been selected by the Turnbull Government to help deliver its new Industry Specialist Mentoring for Australian Apprentices (ISMAA) program.
VACC was one of 24 organisations deemed worthy to receive funding after a rigorous tender process was undertaken. VACC will deliver the mentoring program through its award winning Training department.
VACC has a proven track record of supporting employers and their apprentices to achieve a solid completion rate, which in the industry can often be as low as 47 percent. With decades of proven support to the automotive industry, VACC will utilise its strategies and expertise in its award-winning apprenticeship program to provide the necessary assistance that employers and apprentices have been lacking since the last government funded mentoring program delivered a completion rate of 83 percent by VACC.
As the peak automotive industry body and as an apprentice employer, VACC understands the needs of employers and apprentices to achieve solid working relationships, quality apprenticeship outcomes and efficiency in the investment of our future tradespeople. VACC is pleased to serve the industry in Victoria and Tasmania through its VACC and TACC offices.
Assistant Minister for Vocational Education and Skills, Karen Andrews, on announcing the commencement of the ISMAA program, said it would benefit over 40,000 apprentices.
The new program will be funded by a $60 million investment from the Federal Department of Education and Training that aims to significantly increase retention and completion rates for apprentices in industries undergoing structural change.
“VACC has a long history of delivering industry leading apprenticeship mentoring programs, and the Chamber is very pleased to be acknowledged as such by receiving this funding,” said VACC Executive Director, Geoff Gwilym.
“VACC apprentice mentors are the best in the business and this funding by the Department of Education and Training will allow even more apprentices in the automotive industry to benefit from their deep experience and industry connections.
“The automotive industry is experiencing unparalleled change, which is why it is vital that the next generation of employees are well trained and up to the demanding tasks that they will face in the future. VACC apprentice mentors are extremely well placed to create meaningful benefits that will enhance the working lives of young Australians, their employers and workplaces, and the customers that they serve,” said Mr Gwilym.
VACC has operated apprenticeship services that connect employers to suitable apprentices since 1983. This has led to nearly 3,000 successful graduates. VACC’s mentors provide face to face support to employers and apprentices, which has contributed to one of the highest retention rates of any apprenticeship program in Australia.