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{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change location$10,000 incentive for home building apprentices provides a timely boost
$10,000 incentive for home building apprentices provides a timely boost
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Under the Key Apprentices Program, eligible apprentices will receive $2,000 at 6, 12, 24, 36 months, and at the completion of their apprenticeship.
“The measure is timely and much needed. Despite the significant investment made by governments and industry in apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, we still do not have enough construction trades workers either employed or in training.
Recent National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) data for Victoria shows:
- The number of construction trades workers in training declined by 3.7 per cent in 2023-24.
- Apprenticeship commencements fell by a significant 32.5 per cent in 2023-24.
- Apprenticeship completions fell by 7.8 per cent in 2023-24.
- In 2023, the number of school-based apprentices and trainees in Victoria decreased by 15.2 per cent from 2022.
“Unless we accelerate the growth of the state’s housing industry workforce, our ability to build the number of homes needed to meet Victoria’s growing population will be severely compromised,” added Mr Wojtkiw.
“These incentives make apprenticeships in residential building trades far more appealing for those weighing up their career options. This should translate into much stronger numbers looking for apprenticeships.
“While we are optimistic about the Federal Government’s continued support for apprentices, encouraging young people into apprenticeships is only addressing part of the problem.
“We also need to increase in the number apprentice jobs being created and boost the Vocational Education and Training sector’s capacity to deliver training, including support for private sector Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) and Group Training Organisations (GTOs).
“While employers recognise the importance of training the next generation of tradies, many small and medium sized establishments see apprenticeships as too costly or risky to justify within their business.
“Financial support for employers who create the training and employment opportunities for apprentices is critical if we’re serious about meeting skilled labour demand over the next decade.
“Existing commonwealth financial support measures available to employers are also only guaranteed until the end of 2025 so a much longer-term commitment is needed. Businesses are already planning for their workforce needs in 2026 and beyond, and we need apprenticeships to be front of mind.
“We can’t have a situation where the Key Apprenticeship Program increases the number of young people seeking apprenticeships but fails to increase the number of employers willing or able to take them on,” concluded Mr Wojtkiw.
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