Page 8 - Climate Control News Aug-Sep 2020
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 News
   Apprentice fund celebrations
 THE KIRBY APPRENTICE FUND HAS CELEBRATED ITS ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY.
THE FUND ACCUMULATED $6,065 in dona- tions with 83 HVACR apprentices registered over 63 companies.
The fund-raising efforts made by Kirby staff, customers and suppliers CPS, Supercool Group, Testo, Fieldpiece, HLP Controls, Danfoss, Emer- son, Tesuco, Sauermann, VetoProPak and Mit- subishi Heavy Industries, has enabled the fund to distribute inaugural packs containing trade tools, maintenance product, merchandise and literature valued at over $450 each to every ap- prentice registered up to June 30, 2020.
South Australia and Northern Territory based Sims Refrigeration, was one business which embraced the Fund early and registered nine apprentices.
Owner, David Sims, showed his support by purchasing Kirby t-shirts.
“Kirby is an active industry member having trained our technicians in CO2 systems tech- nology, so it made sense to support them in this excellent initiative. I encourage all busi- ness owners to register their apprentices and support the Kirby Apprentice Fund,” he said.
Kirby developed the Kirby Apprentice Fund to support HVACR trade apprentices with easier access to trade tools and skills training.
CO2 systems training webinars and addition- al supplier product training will be conducted throughout the remainder of the year to enhance skill development.
ABOVE:Arecipientoftheapprentice fund with his new pack.
ABOVE LEFT: Products included in the packs given to apprentices.
Kirby communications lead, Elizabeth Papa- ro, said the effort made by all parties has resulted in a commendable contribution to strengthen- ing the HVACR trade.
“The recipient apprentices have shown grati- tude for their packs that would not have been possible without the generosity of our suppliers,” she said.
“Their willingness to be part of this initiative in tough economic times demonstrates their commitment to our industry apprentices.
“Kirby looks forward continuing to build the Fund over the coming years.”
Visit: kirbyhvacr.com.au.
   Government extends support for apprentices
THE PRIME MINISTER, Scott Morrison, has launched a $2 billion skills package for trainees and apprentices dubbed JobTrainer.
It includes free VET training courses and $1.5 billion in financial support for apprentices.
Morrison said 341,000 new trainees and 180,000 apprentices will be supported under the multi-billion dollar initiative.
The federal government will provide $2 billion while state and territory governments will con- tribute $500 million toward the scheme.
Employment and Skills Minister Michaelia Cash said the plan looked to “provide job seekers with the skills that are in demand by employers and are critical to our economic recovery”.
The courses will be provided by public and pri- vate providers, including TAFE, with places avail- able from September – just as the JobKeeper pro-
gram in its current form is scheduled to cease. The skills package also includes $1.5 billion in apprentice wage subsidies for another six months. The plan is intended to cover up to $7000 a quarter in apprentice wages – up to half their pay. The latest injection of cash effectively doubles the number of trainees receiving financial support. However, the funding is only available to busi- nesses that already had an apprentice employed
on July 1, 2020.
While the announcement has been welcomed
by industry groups, it’s important for funding to be directed to trades most in demand such as refrigeration and air conditioning.
Workforce modelling by industry has identi- fied areas of high demand including the resourc- es and energy sector, construction, mechanical trades and engineering.
All of these trades and industries rely on re- frigeration and air conditioning technicians.
The director of operations at the Australian Resources and Energy Group (AMMA), Tara Di- amond, said JobTrainer will help Australia’s re- covery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This will assist in arresting the sliding number of apprentices and trainees, but longer term will help more Australians ac- cess diverse, highly-paid and rewarding ca- reers within the resources and energy indus- try,” Diamond said.
“Additionally, this focus on apprenticeships cannot afford to leave females behind. As we know the majority of trade apprenticeships are males – we must equally encourage both males and females to be skilled and up-skilled in trades.”
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