- $10 million immediate support with a $2,000 payment to employers to maintain existing apprentices and trainees
- $9.5 million in new monthly payment program to employers of apprentices and trainees
- $5 million to support more than 5,000 building and construction apprentices and trainees to complete short training courses
Premier Mark McGowan and Training Minister Sue Ellery were joined by Reg Howard-Smith, Chair of the Building and Construction Industry Training Board, to announce a $24.5 million support package to assist the building and construction industry to maintain a skilled workforce during the COVID-19 crisis.
The package includes $10 million to provide an immediate, one-off payment of $2,000 to employers of existing apprentices and trainees currently receiving Construction Training Fund (CTF) grant payments.
A new grants scheme worth $9.5 million will be introduced to assist employers to retain their existing apprentices, with payments beginning from June 1, 2020 backdated from April 1, 2020.
The payments will range from $250 per month to $500 per month, per apprentice or trainee, depending on the trades facing the most critical skills shortages in the industry.
This will supplement CTF's existing grants scheme for a period of six months, with a review after three months to gauge the effectiveness of the temporary model.
Employers currently receiving CTF grants for apprentices and trainees in employment will be eligible for the new grant scheme and will need to provide evidence of the apprentice's employment, such as a current payslip.
Apprentices and trainees employed in the industry can claim up to $1,000 to support the costs of undertaking short courses to assist them in upskilling.
Employers and employees can find out more information here: http://www.ctf.wa.gov.au/
Comments attributed to Premier Mark McGowan:
"The construction industry plays an important role in Western Australia and employs thousands of people across a range of trades.
"It's important we look after our local businesses, apprentices and trainees - this funding will go towards making sure jobs are maintained and our construction workforce is ready to assist with the post COVID-19 economic recovery."
Comments attributed to Training Minister Sue Ellery:
"This $24.5 million support package will help keep apprentices and trainees in jobs and support our local construction industry.
"If you're an apprentice in the construction industry looking to upskill - now is the time to take the opportunity to claim back up to $1,000 when you undertake a short course."
Comments attributed to Chair of the Building and Construction Industry Training Board Reg Howard-Smith:
"Building and construction is an essential service to the Western Australian economy and community, and this new support package will ensure industry is well positioned with a skilled workforce to meet the demands of a post COVID-19 recovery.
"CTF's goal has always been to increase the number of skilled workers on WA building and construction sites, and it is now more important than ever to ensure the industry and its highly trained workers succeed."
Premier's Office - 6552 5000
Education Minister's Office - 6552 5700
