Apprenticeship training: alternative delivery pilots

In December 2015, the Australian government announced the creation of a program of alternative delivery pilots for apprenticeship training. The intention of the pilots was to improve apprenticeship outcomes for employers, apprentices and the economy by developing innovative trade training arrangements that will aim to reduce costs for employers, boost training quality and offer apprentices more choice in how they train for a trade. The objective of the audit was to assess whether the Department of Education and Training established the 'Apprenticeship training: alternative delivery...  [+] Show more

In December 2015, the Australian government announced the creation of a program of alternative delivery pilots for apprenticeship training. The intention of the pilots was to improve apprenticeship outcomes for employers, apprentices and the economy by developing innovative trade training arrangements that will aim to reduce costs for employers, boost training quality and offer apprentices more choice in how they train for a trade. The objective of the audit was to assess whether the Department of Education and Training established the 'Apprenticeship training: alternative delivery pilots program' in accordance with the Commonwealth Grants and Rules Guidelines.

Overall, the audit concluded that the Department of Education and Training established the program in accordance with the Commonwealth Grants Rules and Guidelines. However, the department agrees that the decision to accept two late applications under Stream Two of the pilots was not adequately documented and will ensure clear guidelines regarding late applications are in place for future grants processes. Neither of the two late applications rated sufficiently highly to be considered competitive and were not funded.

Edited excerpts from publication.