“Coupled with an increased allowance and additional support for apprentices working away from home, it will provide a critical boost in addressing the current cost of living challenges facing local families and individuals in the NT.

"The Northern Territory is facing historic skills shortages and if we are to grow our economy and attract more families to the Territory there needs to be more incentives to relieve the pressures associated with its geographical location.

“Trade apprenticeships are a major part of that growth. The NT has a pipeline of major projects including federally funded defence force relocation, mining and boosting supply of remote and regional housing.

“These projects have been ear-marked to help make the NT a major hub for defence, technology, rare earths mining, gas exploration, gateway to Asia and more.

"This growth can only be achieved if we have a local workforce building adequate housing to support those working on these major projects and local NT families.

“The Federal Government has set a target to build 1.2 million homes over the next 5 years, this equates to over 11,000 homes, which is a far cry to the just over 2,500 homes delivered over the past 5 years.

“A key part in substantially boosting and supplying this level of much needed housing is to address the chronic construction skills shortages.

“This announcement of a $10,000 boost for young people to take on an apprenticeship, will go a long way to addressing those shortages but it is not the whole answer.

“The momentum should be maintained to keep growing our domestic workforce, target skilled migration for in demand trades and provide financial support for employers to take on and mentor apprentices.

“There has never been a better time for those weighing up what they want to do in their future, than to take up an apprenticeship and have a rewarding career assisted by this additional financial boost to take up a trade,” concluded Mr Espinoza.

For more information please contact: