As Australia heads to a federal election on 3rd May both Labor and the Coalition have made apprenticeship budget commitments for the next term of government.
The Federal Treasurer made provision for the Key Apprenticeship Program which extends $10,000 apprentice incentives under the clean energy apprenticeship program to encompass residential construction trades.
In reply, the Leader of the Opposition announced wage subsidy support for employers of new apprentices in priority occupations of up to $12,000 over the first two years of their apprenticeship.
The Association warmly welcomes the proposed investment from both sides of politics as they highlight the critical role apprenticeships play in underpinning the skills Australia needs across the economy, and in the construction sector in particular.
Labor governments tend to direct a greater proportion of their apprenticeship incentive investment directly to apprentices undergoing training.
Coalition governments tend to direct a greater proportion of the investment to encouraging small and medium sized employers to participate in the system.
It’s the Association’s view that a high functioning incentives system focuses on both simultaneously.
See our Press Release here:NAAA Budget Press Release – final
