$230m apprenticeship boost extension

Payments to businesses that take on apprentices will now run until the end of December 2023

Originally due to run from August 2020 to April 2022, the Apprenticeship Boost initiative was extended by four months in March 2021 and now for a second time, by a further 14 months. 

The scheme was designed to support firms that hire apprentices by paying out $1000 a month for the first year and $500 a month for the second year. To date, it’s provided support to 17,000 employers.

Going forward, support will be dropped to $500 per month for the first year, while the second will remain at $500.

“A $230m investment as part of Budget 2022 provides for another 24,000 apprentices getting Apprenticeship Boost support and some 14,000 to keep being supported beyond August this year,” said Education Minister Chris Hipkins. “There are already 17,000 employers involved in the programme and today’s investment means new employers can join up.”

Apprentice numbers have risen considerably since the Apprenticeship Boosts introduction, added Hipkins.

“Over the past two years, more than 190,000 people have benefitted from government investment in trades training, including apprenticeships. There has been a 55% increase in the number of apprentices since the start of the pandemic.”

Businesses can apply for the Apprenticeship Boost if their apprentices are enrolled in an apprenticeship programme approved and funded by Tertiary Education Commission or Managed Apprenticeship programme and have done less than 24 months of their training.