Apprentices lose in Howard Government’s $60 Million Workchoices Payoff

The Howard Government has rewarded the employer lobby for its support of changes to industrial relations by awarding them a massive contract to assist apprentices.

The federal government has stripped the NSW Government¹s Department of Education and Training New Apprentice Centres (DETNAC) of contracts across NSW, giving the $60 million instead to Australian Business Limited.

Public Service Association General Secretary John Cahill today called for a review of the tendering process, which will cost approximately 270 jobs across NSW.

The Commonwealth-funded centres provide young workers and employers with support in undertaking apprentices, Mr Cahill said.

DETNAC is the largest and most successful provider of these services in Australia, with a skills base second to none.

The tragedy is these highly skilled workers will be lost to the system.

"This appears to be a decision that puts politics ahead of the interests of young workers"

"It seems bizarre that this service would be given to the employer lobby - the group responsible for the collapse in apprentice training in this country."

Mr Cahill said the decision would be of particular concern to regional NSW, where the offices were one of the primary sources of employment for young people.