The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC), the national regulator for Australia’s climate control sector, has welcomed recent addition of refrigeration apprenticeships to the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List as a valuable incentive to complete apprenticeships.
ARC chief executive officer Glenn Evans said the inclusion of refrigeration and air conditioning apprenticeships provided a practical financial boost for apprentices who might be struggling financially.
He said the payments now available to apprentices were one of several benefits arising from the classification of the climate control (RAC) as an essential, clean energy industry.
“This is overdue recognition for our specialised trade as both essential to everyday life and vital to achieving Australia’s national clean energy and emissions targets,” he said.
“Not only will this ease the financial struggle which can cause apprentices to drop out, but it puts us on the radar of prospective apprentices who might not have previously considered it.
“ARC is a strong advocate of climate control as a career of first choice for bright young people, and anything that raises the profile of our apprenticeships has to be a good thing.
”Inclusion in the priority list further enhances the ‘learn as you earn’ appeal of apprenticeships in our industry for young people planning their careers.”
Apprentices in priority list occupations are eligible for support payments under the Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System – up to $1,250 every six months for the first two years of a full-time apprenticeship ($5,000 in total).
Mr Evans said the incentive scheme offered a win-win for apprentices and their employers, as the financial boost could make the vital difference in staying or leaving.
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