Anthony Albanese announces $10,000 incentive for apprentices in residential construction
Bricklayers, electricians and plumbers are among apprentices being offered $10,000 to help them stay in the residential construction sector under an Albanese government push to build new homes.
Victoria
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Bricklayers, electricians and plumbers are among apprentices being offered $10,000 to help them stay in the residential construction sector under an Albanese government push to boost skills, retention rates, and build more homes.
Carpenters and joiners on apprenticeships will also be eligible to cash in on the incentive payments, receiving $2000 on top of their wages every six months from July 1 until they complete their trade.
Anthony Albanese, who will unveil the $627m initiative in a major speech at the National Press Club on Friday, will also announce an increase to apprentices’ living away from home allowance.
The Prime Minister will use the speech, which will have a strong focus on cost of living and the economy, to set the course for the election year and outline how Labor’s vision for “building Australia’s future” is about people and an investment in skills.
“We recognise the next generation of tradies, the people we’re counting on to build the new homes we need, are under significant financial pressure,” Mr Albanese will say.
“A first-year carpentry apprentice earns about two-thirds of the minimum wage. Some apprentices earn even less.
“Too many leave training, because they can’t afford to stay.
“Our government wants to encourage more Australians to get on the tools – and stay in construction.”
The Albanese government has been under sustained pressure to tackle the national housing crisis during its first term, prompting it to make an ambitious commitment to build 1.2 million homes over the next five years despite major skills shortages.
Under the government’s new Key Apprentice Program, eligible apprentices in occupations essential for residential construction will receive up to $10,000 in five payments.
The move aims to help ease the cost burden of buying tools, safety gear, clothing and boots – with Mr Albanese acknowledging that apprentices have warned they can earn a lot more stacking shelves in their local supermarket.
He said the new incentive payment meant apprentices in residential construction will now get the same training incentives as those in the energy sector.
“More new homes, more new energy – and more support for the tradies who will build both,” Mr Albanese will say.
The incentive comes in response to the strategic review of the Australian Apprenticeship Incentive System, which will be released on Friday.
The increase to the allowance for apprentices living away from home is the first since 2003. But the government is yet to reveal how much it will raise the payment by.
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Originally published as Anthony Albanese announces $10,000 incentive for apprentices in residential construction
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