Flood Assistance Initiative: Flood Apprenticeship Retention Bonus (FARB)
FARB is based on the successful Drought ARB run between July 2006 and June 2010 and supports retention of apprentices employed in businesses that are located in the 26 flood affected municipalities of Victoria that derive the majority of their income from primary production or servicing primary producers.
Why
A number of businesses suffer from the impact of flood as farmers reduce expenditure. Such businesses may be put under financial pressure to lay off apprentices.
This initiative will assist them to retain these apprentices in their employment. Maintaining apprentices in these businesses is critical to addressing the ever-widening skill shortage and the long-term viability of rural areas.
Duration/Cost:
$1.076 million is being made available for this program which will run until 30 December, 2011.
Eligibility:
This program is only available in the following local government areas: Ararat Rural City Council, Ballarat City Council, Buloke Shire Council, Campaspe Shire Council, Cardinia Shire, Shire of Casey, Central Goldfields Shire Council, Corangamite Shire Council, Gannawarra Shire Council, Glenelg Shire Council, Golden Plains Shire Council, Greater Bendigo City Council, Greater Shepparton City Council, Hepburn Shire Council, Hindmarsh Shire Council, Horsham Rural City Council, Loddon Shire Council, Macedon Ranges Shore Council, Mildura Rural City Council, Mount Alexander Shire Council, Moyne Shire Council, Murrindindi Shire Council, Northern Grampians Shire Council, Pyrenees Shire Council, Swan Hill Rural City Council, Warrnambool City Council, West Wimmera Shire Council and Yarriambiack Shire Council.
The grants are for sole traders, partnerships or companies that meet the eligibility criteria which includes:
- The apprentice must be continuously employed in a designated flood affected municipality from 1 January 2011 until 30 December 2011;
- The apprentice must be registered with Skills Victoria;
- Derive majority of their income (more than 50 per cent) from primary production or by supplying inputs or processing outputs from primary producers whose properties are located in flood affected areas; and
- Employ one or more apprentices in a nominated range of specific occupations related to servicing primary industries.
The grant will be $1500 for each apprentice that is retained continuously between 1 January 2011 and 30 December 2011. The grant will be paid in two parts - $750 for the six months to 30 June, 2011 and $750 for the six months to 31 December, 2011.
Occupational categories of apprentices and trainees to be covered include: Agriculture, Production Horticulture, Rural Operations, Shearing, Turf Management, Automotive Mechanical, Automotive Electrical, Automotive Outdoor Power Equipment, Fabrication Engineering and Mechanical Engineering.
Full list of eligible occupational categories
Full application guidelines for employers and group training companies
Further information:
Application form for employers
Application form for group training companies
For further information contact DPI on 136 186.
