Responsible Apprentice

Responsible Apprentice knows how the Liberal Government want him to spend his tool allowance, and he's totally on board with it.

Australian Federal Minister for Industry, Ian MacFarlane, seen here pretending to care about Australia's manufacturing industry and looking decidedly uncomfortable about it has this week hit out at Apprentices by claiming to have evidence to demonstrate that the "Tools for your trade allowance" granted to apprentices in areas determined as suffering a "skills shortage" is being spent inappropriately.

More specifically "on tattoos and mag wheels for their cars, and birthday parties" and that "Because the money was basically being thrown at them they just spent it on whatever they wanted to."

tumblr.com

Apprentices get paid a very low rate. We all know that's because they are being trained as they work. This does not make them immune from expenses related to that work (and just being alive). The "tools for your trade allowance" sought not to pay apprentices more, not to throw money at them, but to compensate apprentices who join industries that are in desperate need of more people for having to spend the little they do earn on tools that help them do that job in the first place. Was the grant paid at the same time they bought the tools? no. Are tools and ongoing expense? yes. Is this whole thing a completely absurd way to try to defend the Australian Government's complete disdain for workers? yes. You'll feel better if you laugh about it. We do.

"Doesn't everyone just get everything for free? The tools allowance was nothing really!" -Responsible Apprentice

"Parties? who wastes their time with that? I spend my time and money smoking cigars made of people's hopes and dreams" - Responsible Apprentice

".. what, I did kind of buy a tool.." - Responsible Apprentice

" Minister MacFarlane is right, you don't even have to send an invoice for the tools, but I did send a thank you note" - Responsible Apprentice

"Mag wheels and tattoos are useless and expensive. I know what our nation really needs more of.."

"Well, I'm an apprentice so I don't get paid that much, I live with my parents and drive an unreliable car. So when the government gives me money as compensation for buying tools to become skilled I figure; seeing as I obviously don't need it, I should pass it on to those who do! Simple really.." -Responsible Apprentice

"What Minister MacFarlane doesn't seem to understand is that not all apprentices spend the money on cars and ink, I know how important it is to be seen in the right places -In a way the money still helped my career.." - Responsible Apprentice