More than 200 young South Australians will gain skills that could lead to an apprenticeship through the $1 million ‘Kickstart’ training program.

Employment, Higher Education and Skills Minister, Tom Kenyon says the program will support 15 pre-apprenticeship training courses being delivered across the State.

“This program aims to increase the number of young people taking up apprenticeships in trades in demand including plumbing, electro-technology, engineering, carpentry and commercial cookery,” Mr Kenyon said.

“This program will provide participants with more than 300 hours of accredited training aligned with targeted apprenticeships, case management support and mentoring, career information and guidance and literacy and numeracy assistance where required,” Mr Kenyon said.

Training will be provided by the following registered training organisations:

• Adelaide Training and Employment Centre at Ottoway and Lonsdale – providing three engineering courses

• Hospitality Group Training in the Adelaide CBD – providing three hospitality pathways courses

• PEER VEET at Albert Park–providing two plumbing courses and four electrical courses

• North East Vocational College at St Agnes and Port Lincoln – providing three construction pathways courses.

  “The initiative also complements the State Government’s Skills for All reforms which will raise the skill levels of the workforce and get more people into training and jobs,” Mr Kenyon said.

  “Under Skills for All Certificate I and II level courses, pre-vocational courses and accredited courses to improve reading, writing, numbers and computer skills will be fee-free.

  “In addition, courses determined by the State Government to be priorities for the State will also be fee-free,” Mr Kenyon said.