Vulnerable workers in Australia's labor market will have greater access to apprenticeships after the country's government announced additional funding for a vocational training program.

Investment worth $3.5 million has been allocated to the Australian Apprenticeships Access Program, which provides unemployed workers with support for citizens aged 25 and over that have lost their jobs because of the global economic downturn.

This new funding will add to the $30.2 million set aside by the ruling Labor Party in March for young jobseekers aged between 19 and 24; bring the total number of places on the scheme to 15,000.

Described by the government as a commitment to ensuring that Australia's future labor market is skilled, the access program provides job-search support, information on opportunities and advocacy.

Yesterday (May 7th), the Australian Bureau of Statistics surprisingly revealed that more than 27,000 net jobs were created in April, while unemployment levels decreased by 0.3 per cent.© Adfero Ltd