The Federal Government says a new $200 million annual investment will improve the state of Australia’s apprenticeship system.

Assistant Minister for Education and Training, Senator Simon Birmingham, launched the new Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) on the weekend.

“The Government is introducing a new outcomes-based arrangement that financially rewards completions,” Senator Birmingham said at press conference in the rural NSW city of Nowra.

The scheme will include “targeted mentoring to assist apprentices or employers facing difficulty,” he said.

The AASN will introduce more efficient online processes that focus resources away from paperwork and into delivering advice and direct support.

“We’re investing a lot in a new technology system to support the apprenticeships network,” Senator Birmingham said in a radio interview.

“Historically, you can walk in to some of the managers of apprenticeship systems and they have rooms and rooms with boxes and boxes of files that have been used to tick off all of the different competencies and skills that need to be matched off to say that an apprentice has reached a qualification.

“We’ve invested in a new IT system to remove that, to free up the paperwork and providing these 11 different support organisations around Australia... who will be providing real hands on support to businesses, to help them through that apprenticeship process.”

The money will also go to a sort of –match-making service, to ensure employers get someone suitable.

“New targeted pre-commencement services will ensure prospective apprentices and employers have the requisite skills, aptitude and information before signing up,” Senator Birmingham said.

Eleven organisations nationwide make up the AASN, which will deliver services through more than 440 apprenticeship network provider locations, including in rural and remote areas.

The full list of network providers is available here. 

Locations are reportedly subject of final contract negotiations and will be announced shortly.