Request for Tender for Australian Apprenticeship Support Services 2024–26

Strengthening the apprenticeship system to improve completion rates and increase the diversity of the apprentice workforce is central to address critical skills shortages and ensure apprentices feel valued and supported to succeed in the workplace. To do this, the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations has consulted extensively to design the new Australian Apprenticeship Support Services and now seeks responses from organisations interested in delivering these services from 1 July 2024.

New Australian Apprenticeship Support Services seek to balance and strengthen non-financial supports to provide:

· high-quality end-to-end advice and support to Australian Apprentices and their employers

· proactive communication and support services for apprentices and their employers

· Australian Apprentices with a pre-commencement assessment upfront, positioning apprentices for success from the start

· strengthened mentoring and personal support services for apprentices and employers throughout the apprenticeship

· improved wrap-around support for Key Client Groups (women in male-dominated trades, First Nations Australian Apprentices, Australian Apprentices with disability, and those located in remote Australia) while continuing to support all apprentices and their employers

· improved awareness of Australian Apprenticeships as a pathway to learning

· minimised administrative requirements on Australian Apprentices and their employers.

If your organisation has the capabilities, interest and commitment to deliver support services to Australian Apprentices and their employers, then submit your response to the Request for Tender (RFT) by the closing time and date.

The RFT sets out the service requirements as well as information on how to respond, the selection criteria and evaluation process, and is available to download through the 360 Providers’ Portal, accessible at: tenders.employment.gov.au (see further instructions below).