SW apprentice jobs put at risk

Fifteen jobs could be axed at a Bunbury-based training company because it was overlooked for a national apprenticeship support system.

The Federal Government on Monday announced 11 companies as part of the new Australian Apprenticeship Support Network, which will link apprentices and employers from July 1.

The Government has halved the previous network of 22 Australian Apprenticeships Centres that serviced specific regions across the country.

The overhaul of the AAC system means The Apprentice and Traineeship Company, which operates throughout the South West from its Bunbury base, has lost a 17-year contract with the Government.

While the change does not place the future of the company at risk, it has jeopardised the 15 full-time-equivalent positions that existed only so the company could be part of the AAC.

As part of its contract with the Government, the company helped thousands of apprentices and trainees in an area from Mandurah to Albany - including about 1200 new entrants every year.

"The 15 FTE positions are at risk as this region is our head office and requires the number of staff to run the AAC operations," company chief executive officer Stan Liaros said.

"I am currently negotiating with the other providers in an endeavour to secure employment for some of the displaced staff."

Mr Liaros was also critical that most of the companies set to provide support services in the region were not based in WA.

The four companies to be a part of the new network servicing WA include a consortium of The BUSY Group Ltd and Skill360 Australia, Chambers Apprenticeship Support Australia and MEGT Australia - all based interstate - as well as the WA-based AMA Services.

"Outside providers will operate most of their administration functions interstate and require minimal administration involvement at the local level," Mr Liaros said.

"The impact will be felt at a human resource and local business level.

"This will mean less local employment as well as the fact we are the head office in Bunbury and source all our operating needs at a local level - including cars, phones, stationery, office equipment.

"After 17 years as an AAC, the local knowledge and assistance to employers and industry will be inferior and take interstate providers significant time to catch up."

Assistant Minister for Education and Training Simon Birmingham said the successful companies formed consortiums to cover bigger areas because "the new servicing model means that a provider must be able to provide apprenticeship services to employers and Australian apprentices across an entire State, rather than only in a selected region."