One of the country's super-employers of young mechanical engineers says it's delighted with a new Government wage subsidy for employers who take on apprentices. However, firms still needed the work to give apprentices and good tradesmen who could train them, he said. Fiona Kingsford, chief executive of industry training organisation Competenz said the subsidy would provide relief particularly for school leavers facing an uncertain job market. Warwick Quinn, of the Building and Construction Industry training body BCITO, said the funding would help protect jobs. All industries qualify for the subsidy but the apprentice must be enrolled in a Level 4 New Zealand or managed apprenticeship programme and in their first or second year.

Source: Stuff June 16, 2020 20:58 UTC