CIT Addressing Skills Shortages with Fast Track Apprenticeships
5 March 2008 The Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) will introduce new accelerated apprenticeships in the skills shortage areas of hairdressing and panel beating, Minister for Education and Training Andrew Barr announced today. Mr Barr said CIT's fast-track apprenticeships will help ensure ACT business operators continue to have access to the skilled workers they need. "CIT's new fast-track program will enable students to complete their apprenticeship up to 30 per cent faster without sacrificing the quality of their education," Mr Barr said. "The ACT, like the rest of Australia is dealing with a skills shortage caused by 11 years of under investment in training by the Liberals. The ACT Government is taking a range of steps to ensure ACT businesses have access to the skilled workers they need. The innovative work of CIT in developing fast-track apprenticeships is an example of the ACT Government getting on with the job of addressing the skills shortage." "I am confident these new fast-track apprenticeships will be effective based on the success of a similar apprenticeship program for chefs introduced by CIT in 2006." "By shortening the length of the apprenticeship while maintaining the quality of training, CIT will get skilled workers into the workforce faster and also make an apprenticeship more appealing to mature age students and those seeking a career change." Mr Barr said. CIT will work closely with its industry partners through the Hairdressing Industry Representative Panel to implement the fast-track apprenticeships. The panel is comprised of senior industry representatives, including Angelo Cataldo (Cataldo's Salon), Sam Calabria (Franco of Canberra), Naomi Selmeczi (Seven Hair Studio), Craig Rhodes (Smitten Hairdressing), Loretta Smith (International Hairstylists Society ACT), the Department of Education and Training and the Australian Workers Union. The panel held its initial meeting at the CIT Reid Campus on Monday. Almost 2,700 apprentices, employed by 1,675 different employers, studied at CIT in 2007. CIT is expecting similar demand this year, with great career opportunities available in apprenticeship areas. For more information contact:
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