Apprenticeship Visas for Australia – Disagreements
May 14th, 2006 | Published in Immigration
The Trade Skills Training Visa (471) was introduced in November 2005.
In April Kim Beazley, leader of Australia’s opposition Labor Party, said that he would like to abolish these foreign apprenticeship visas, which were “ruining the job prospects of young Australians”.
“The Howard Government brought in the Trade Skills Training Visa (subclass 471), giving apprenticeships to unskilled migrants, rather than young Australians.
“This has to stop. We must train Australians first and train Australians now. This is the only way we can give young Australians every chance to succeed.
“I support immigration. But immigration is no substitute for training young Australians.”
The government has now responded. The Minister for Immigration, Senator Amanda Vanstone, asked, “Why is it okay to bring in a very large number of overseas university students, but not okay to allow in limited circumstances young overseas people to learn a trade in Australia?”
“Overseas apprentices in Australia will not displace local Australians. They will be paid in accordance with Australian law and will, in fact, assist in ensuring trade-training remains available in regional areas.
“All visas have to be approved by Regional Certifying Bodies, which are appointed after consultation with state governments, and draw on local knowledge to ensure that interests of the community are protected.
“Among the many safeguards, the Regional Certifying Bodies have to check that the employer has tried to fill the position by advertising within Australia.
“Sponsoring employers have to have a good training record and many will be group training companies which are typically not-for-profit, community organisations.
“The Government’s decision to allow entry of foreign apprentices in certain circumstances was taken to help regional group training companies remain viable and thus keep offering trade training to young Australians.
“It will also help Australian businesses in regional and remote areas who have trouble getting young Australians for the task.
“The simple fact is that Australia is not going to be flooded with overseas apprentices; the strict conditions simply don’t allow for this.”