Call to local businesses to express interest in employing an apprentice

Member for Narungga Fraser Ellis MP is keen to hear from all local businesses across the electorate interested in employing an apprentice or trainee in the near future to ensure as many local employers as possible benefit from the significant financial incentives currently available to them from the State Government’s “Skilling SA” initiative.

“My office in the past week has contacted some 245 local businesses, asking them to indicate interest in putting on a new apprentice or trainee. If enough indicate this wish, the Minister for Innovation and Skills the Hon. David Pisoni and I will host a local information session to explain in detail the processes and incentives available.

“Now is the time to install an apprentice and the sooner the better to take maximum advantage, with current 12-month subsidy programs having already commenced in September. Thus, I ask that businesses interested in attending such a forum please contact my office this week to be put on our list”, Mr Ellis said.

With sufficient uptake, Mr Ellis said there is potential for the region to qualify as a Skilling SA project region and for deployment of an Industry and Skills staffer to be based in the Copper Coast.

He said over several weeks he has been pleased to be involved in discussions with Copper Coast Council and the Kadina Chamber of Commerce about ways to create local jobs, entice new businesses to the region and ensure local skill gaps are filled.

“Mayor of Copper Coast Council Roslyn Talbot, along with Kadina Hub representatives and I, recently met with Minister Pisoni in Adelaide, and I have been liaising with the Ministers for Regional Development and Trade and Investment, the Hon. David Basham MP and the Hon. Stephen Patterson MP respectively, on regional growth strategies to entice new businesses into our region.

“All of us know the vital importance of the regions to our State’s economy, and our townships can only be sustained and grow if jobs are available.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us all that workplaces can operate from anywhere with available technology, and businesses do not have to be based in cities. Rural people know the lifestyle advantages on offer in rural areas and it is our intention to spread the word and lure new businesses into our beautiful patch of the world”, Mr Ellis said.

Mayor of the Copper Coast Roslyn Talbot said the Copper Coast is well equipped with the necessary infrastructure to enable the pursuit of opportunities to promote regional growth.

“Working collaboratively with the Member for Narungga and the Kadina Chamber of Commerce, coupled with the economic incentives currently available to expand employment, will give us the best opportunity for a successful outcome”, Mayor Talbot said.