National Skills Week is an annual national initiative that promotes vocational education and training, celebrates the achievements of apprentices and trainees, and highlights the career opportunities available across Australia’s skilled trades. 

It aims to raise awareness of the importance of skills development, encourage more people to pursue trade and technical pathways, and recognise the employers, trainers and organisations that support Australia’s workforce.

The proposed Victorian legislation would require employers to obtain a government issued licence before taking on an apprentice. HIA says the proposal adds yet another layer of regulation to small and family run businesses already navigating building registration, labour hire licensing, workplace safety obligations and extensive compliance requirements.

HIA Victoria Executive Director Keith Ryan said charging ahead with this legislation was at odds with the purpose of National Skills Week.

“National Skills Week is meant to celebrate apprentices, promote trades careers and importantly encourage more employers to take on young people. Instead, the Government has chosen this week to push legislation that makes it harder for businesses to engage apprentices. It sends the wrong message at the worst possible time,” Mr Ryan said.

HIA warns the proposed licensing scheme will create uncertainty for employers, introduce new administrative burdens and add costs through mandatory checks and compliance processes - even if no direct licence fee is imposed.

“With more than 83,000 construction workers already needed across Australia, Victoria should be removing barriers to apprenticeship growth, not adding new ones. This legislation risks reducing opportunities for young people and worsening the state’s skills shortages,” Mr Ryan said.

HIA is calling on the Government to withdraw the legislation and engage meaningfully with industry on practical measures that support employers and apprentices, including reducing administrative complexity, improving mentoring and retention, and providing targeted incentives.

“Industry wants to work with government to strengthen the apprenticeship system. But charging ahead with proposals for new red tape during National Skills Week is not the way to do it,” Mr Ryan said.

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