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{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change locationApprenticeships are a key pathway to a career in home building
Apprenticeships are a key pathway to a career in home building
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“The Government’s ambitious goal to build 1.2 million homes over the next five years implies a substantial increase in demand for skilled trades workers, and the pathway to a career in a trade is via an apprenticeship.
“The housing industry needs more skilled trades workers, and the industry needs a well-functioning apprenticeship system.
“The benefits of apprenticeships are clear. Those who complete apprenticeship based qualifications show higher rates of employment than nearly every other type of formal qualification.
“Despite this, there are too few people wanting to begin apprenticeships in construction trades. Those who do, too few are sticking with their training through to completion.
“In addition, there are too few employers willing to take on apprentices and provide the practical workplace based training.
“Delivery of the formal training component of apprenticeships must also be improved. The inability to access the formal training in a way that meets the needs of students and employers is a significant impediment to progression of apprentices.
“This issue is particularly important to apprentices and employers in regional areas where attending classes may require travelling vast distances including overnight stays.
“There have been a myriad of schemes and programs over the years aiming to support apprentices through their training, as well as incentivise businesses to create employment opportunities for apprentices. None have enjoyed enduring success.
“The review announced by Minister O’Connor today provides the Government with an opportunity to transparently evaluate the successes and failures of previous schemes and to optimise the apprenticeship incentive system for the modern economy.
"HIA is encouraged by the Government’s commitment to elevating the status of vocational education and improving outcomes for apprentices,” concluded Geordan Murray.
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