The Apprenticeship Support Programme is a cross-agency government response to help employers retain and bring on new apprentices, including Mana in Mahi participants, while dealing with the effects of COVID-19.
Employers and businesses will be able to access support from either Apprenticeship Boost, Mana in Mahi, or the Regional Apprenticeships Initiative. The Group Training Schemes which some employers are part of will also receive additional support.
The Apprenticeship Support Programme will be implemented from August 2020. More details on how to apply will be available as soon as possible.
The Apprenticeship Support Programme is delivered from a number of government agencies and includes:
The new Apprenticeship Boost, which will help employers pay for new and existing apprentices in their first two years of training
An expansion to MSD’s Mana in Mahi programme to help people into long-term work and gain a formal industry training qualification
Support for seven existing Group Training Schemes to help them continue to employ some 1,700 apprentices and trainees
The new Regional Apprenticeships Initiative, funded through the Provincial Growth Fund, which will support employers in the regions to take up new apprentices.
Apprenticeship Boost
Apprenticeship Boost aims to provide support for employers to retain and take on new apprentices as the economy recovers from the impacts of COVID-19, so they can continue to earn and progress towards their qualifications.
This initiative recognises apprentices need more support from employers in their first two years while they are training and developing their skills.
Employers of first and second year apprentices who are in a Tertiary Education Commission approved New Zealand Apprenticeship or a Managed Apprenticeship will be able to apply for Apprenticeship Boost through the Ministry of Social Development (MSD).
Employers can apply for Apprenticeship Boost whether an apprentice has just started their training programme or is nearing the end of their first two years – right up until the apprentice has completed 24 months of their training programme (while the initiative is running).
Apprenticeship Boost will be available from August 2020 and runs for 20 months.
An apprentice who is in the first year of their apprenticeship will be eligible for $1,000 per month, and an apprentice in their second year is eligible for $500 per month for a maximum period of 20 months.
Mana in Mahi expansion
Mana in Mahi was launched in August 2018 and aims to help people who are disadvantaged in the labour market move into long-term work and gain a formal industry qualification.
The programme includes a wage subsidy for employers, funding for pre-employment training, ongoing access to pastoral care and incentive payments for participants.
From August 2020, programme support will be extended from 12 up to 24 months. The wage subsidy will be increased – up to $16,000 for a first year participant, and up to $8,000 for a second year participant.
Anyone who is disadvantaged in the labour market can apply.
The expanded scheme will be available for current and new participants. We will contact current Mana in Mahi employers about these changes.
More information about the current programme
Mana in Mahi — for people who’d like to take part
Group Training Schemes
Group Training Schemes are existing industry-based training programmes which employ apprentices and trainees and provide related services to host employers.
Funding will be provided to the seven Group Training Schemes so they can continue to employ their apprentices. This will enable a quick restart of training once business opportunities improve for host businesses.
In the meantime apprentices will undertake off-job training, working with industry training organisations and vocational training providers.
This wil help ensure apprentices can continue with their training.
The Tertiary Education Commission will contact eligible Group Training Schemes with details on how to apply for funding.
The Regional Apprenticeship Initiative
A new regional apprenticeship scheme which will provide funding for regional employers to support them to take on new apprenticeships. The scheme will initially focus on displaced workers, and Māori and Pacific Peoples.
The Regional Apprenticeships Initiative – Grow Regions
SOURCE: WORK AND INCOME
