One of the Nambucca Valley's biggest manufacturer's, Express Coaches, was cautious in commending the Federal Government's $2.5 billion package announced last week to support training and apprenticeships.
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Accounts and administration manager, Rebecca Welsh, said she had not yet looked at the details but the company had not been eligible for the previous $1.3 billion wage subsidy announced in March.
"That funding was only available to companies with 40 or less employees, no matter how many apprentices or trainees ... we currently have 12 apprentices in the factory but we have 72 employees," Ms Welsh said.
She said in recent months JobKeeper had been vital to keep the business open and she was anxious to hear the Government's plans for JobKeeper 2.0 to be announced on Thursday.
"Production has slowed right down and we had to cut back staff hours for a while but most sections have picked back up.
"We have plenty of work but we rely on Scania parts which come from Sweden. Getting components at the moment is difficult.
"Once we are back in the swing of things we will be very busy and certainly looking for staff."
She said the company usually did an induction for apprentices and trainees in September or October with a view to them starting in January the following year.
Business NSW Regional Manager, Mid North Coast, Kellon Beard said the package was a good start but lacked funding to encourage business to put on new apprentices.
"Business NSW has been pushing for first year apprentice wages to be subsidised up to 90 per cent or $540 per week ... this package only offers 50 per cent, so I believe more needs to be done," Mr Beard said.
He said that training in pre-apprenticeships for trades in particular was needed so young people understood the work they were getting into before starting their four year apprenticeships.