Release type: Joint Media Release

Date:

More support for apprentices in the Northern Territory

Ministers:

The Hon Brendan O'Connor MP
Minister for Skills and Training
Hon Joel Bowden MLA
NT Minister for Skills Training and International Education

The Albanese Government is partnering with the Lawler Government to provide more targeted support services to apprentices and their employers in the Northern Territory.

Top End Group Training Pty Ltd (trading as Group Training Northern Territory Group) has won a competitive tender to continue delivering apprenticeship support services in the Territory from 1 July 2024.

GTNT Group was best able to demonstrate its experience operating in the Northern Territory, including navigating the challenges of remoteness, seasonality, and establishing and maintaining connections over large distances.

GTNT Group also best demonstrated its experience working with First Nations apprentices and communities, including a sophisticated understanding of different nations and language groups.

The new apprenticeships support services model – which begins 1 July 2024 – places apprentices at the centre of delivery through an enhanced assessment at the beginning of the apprenticeship and strengthened mentoring services for apprentices and their employers while in-training.

First Nations apprentices, women apprentices in male-dominated trades, apprentices with disability and apprentices in remote Australia, will receive guaranteed access to mentoring support.

Apprenticeship support providers offer guidance in claiming available financial incentives and deliver a range of other support including:

  • Personalised information and advice on apprenticeship pathways
  • Support to address barriers to retention and completion, including pastoral care, career and industry mentoring and counselling.

In addition, GTNT Group will deliver a range of Northern Territory Government regulatory and administrative services.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Skills and Training, Brendan O’Connor:

“The Northern Territory provides unique challenges in delivering support services to apprentices.

“GTNT has shown that it is well placed to support apprentices and their employers throughout the NT.

“It’s important both levels of government – Federal and Territory – work together to ensure NT apprentices get the support they deserve.

“Our new support services model will ensure apprentices and their employers receive more wholistic wrap-around support, to help apprentices complete their training.”

Quotes attributable to the NT Minister for Skills, Training and International Education, Joel Bowden:

“The Territory Labor Government is investing in our apprentices, ensuring they have the support they need to commence and complete an apprenticeship.

“Congratulations to GTNT for being awarded this tender to continue to deliver apprentice support and tonight we celebrate the Territory’s outstanding students, apprentices and employers at the GTNT Group Awards Ceremony.”