With the Federal Government this week expanding support for apprentices, Master Builders ACT is calling for increased local funding for apprenticeships ahead of the 2021-22 ACT Budget being delivered next week.
The Federal Government on Tuesday announced an extension to the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements program allowing eligible employers to receive wage subsidies of 10 per cent during an apprentice’s second year and five per cent during their third.
Master Builders ACT (MBA) CEO, Michael Hopkins, is calling on the ACT Government to increase their apprenticeship funding support after MBA’s submission earlier this year offering a range of proposals for the upcoming Budget; proposals that are “focused on skills and education and designed to maximise the multiplier capacity of the building and construction industry”.
“The announcement to support employers to recruit and retain apprentices is welcomed however, when it comes to training currently, the ACT subsidises many construction trades at the lowest end of the subsidy range compared to all other Australian jurisdictions,” Mr Hopkins said.
“We are calling on the ACT Government to support the need for attracting and retaining enough apprentices to meet the workforce demands now and into the future by investing in skills training.”
Mr Hopkins said local training organisations would benefit from increased ACT Government funding to provide quality apprentice training which would help meet future construction industry workforce needs.
“To address the under-funding of trade apprenticeships and skills shortages in the building and construction industry, we have recommended an increase in User Choice Funding, as well as targeted wage support for any employer in the construction industry who hires an ACT resident unemployed from those industries most impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.
“In addition to these measures, we are suggesting a $2,000 contribution per apprentice employed in a Group Training Organisation towards mental health support, support in the field, workplace safety and provision of tools and equipment.”
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