Apprentices in the building and construction industry will receive payments of $1000 following training milestones, the WA government announced on Sunday.
It’s hoped that the cash boost will encourage burgeoning tradies to complete their apprenticeships and bolster the workforce, and ramp up the construction of new housing builds across the state.
The $1000 Apprenticeship Support Package payments will be available for eligible apprentices to claim from January next year, and claims can be made up to a year after the completion of the supported milestones.
Employers in the building and construction industry will also be encouraged to employ the apprentice tradies, with a boost to the grants already available.
Eligible employers of 18 to 24-month apprentices will receive a base grant of $12,500, up from the $10,000 sum previously available, and employers of three to four-year apprentices can access a base grant of $15,000 — up from $12,000.
“Bonus rates for employing a female or mature-aged apprentice or trainee will also be doubled from 20 per cent to 40 per cent, to help improve diversity in building and construction,” the WA government said.
The payment comes on top of the Apprentice Tool Allowance, which gives eligible apprentice tradies a $1000 rebate on tools or safety equipment at both the beginning and end of their training.
WA Premier Roger Cook noted a “significant demand for housing” in the state and said: “It’s critical that we support local people into good jobs in the building and construction industry … to further grow this key workforce.”
The payments fall under the state’s $52.3 million investment package for apprentices, as the completion of training in some trades is trailing behind others.
“While overall, we are seeing higher-than-average completion rates in WA, particularly in licensed trades like electrical and plumbing, individual completion rates in some trades can be as low as 50 per cent,” Training and Workforce Development Minister Simone McGurk said.
“These bonuses and other initiatives provide an additional incentive for anyone thinking of getting into the building and construction industry to not only start, but more importantly to finish their training.
“We want to send a message to apprentices and employers in the building and construction industry that there is cash — and a rewarding new career — up for grabs right now.”