The Illawarra region has seen a loss of 1319 apprentices in training between June 2014 and March 2015 across the regions three electorates Cunningham (589), Throsby (429) and Gilmore (301).

Since the election of the Abbott/Turnbull Governments, the Liberals have cut almost $2.5 billion fromskills and training, including $1 billion from apprentice programs including:

• Abolishing apprenticeship programs such as mentoring, access and the Apprentice to Business Owner program;
• Replaced apprentice support with apprentice debt by abolishing the Tools for Your Trade Program;
• Rebadged and cut funding to Australian Apprenticeship Centres;
• Abolished Joint Group Training funding;
• Cutting support for adult apprentices

We need to ensure that young Australians have the skills they need for the jobs of the future.

The $1 billion cut to apprentices has seen apprentice numbers across Australia plummet from 417,700 apprentices in September 2013 to 295,300 apprentices in September 2015.

That is 122,400 fewer apprentices in training including 1319 fewer apprentices in the Illawarra.

Under the Liberals watch apprentice numbers have plummeted, the VET sector is in chaos with shonks and sharks rorting billions through VET FEE-HELP and Malcolm Turnbull has refused to rule out a TAFE-destroying federal takeover of TAFE.

The Liberals have had over two years to start talking about their plans on how they plan to help apprentices commence and complete an apprenticeship - all they have done is cut $1 billion in funding for apprentices.

The Liberals have had over two years to start talking about their plans for TAFE - all we have seen is a leaked document outlining their secret plans for a TAFE-destroying federal takeover.

Ann Sudmalis should explain whats happened to apprentices in her local area.

Sadly, theres no Liberal candidate in Cunningham or Throsby to explain the Liberals cuts and their plans for a TAFE-destroying federal takeover.