The Hodgman Liberal Government’s number one priority is jobs.
A key part of our Plan is to increase the number of apprentices in Tasmania because it encourages younger Tasmanians to stay in the State, which is good for our community, population growth and the economy in general.
In the dying days of the Labor-Green Government, the number of apprentices in the building and construction sector dropped 19 per cent. Some apprentices had to leave the industry without completing their apprenticeship, because there simply weren’t the opportunities available under the previous Government.
The Hodgman Liberal Government is determined to tackle this issue and that’s why we are encouraging apprentices that left the building and construction sector before completing their apprenticeship to sign up to a new register. Building and construction companies are also being encouraged to use the register to fill a growing number of apprentice positions.
There is no doubt that our building and construction sector is in a strong position right now. Just yesterday, we saw that private new capital investment has increased by over 16 per cent compared to this time last year, which is the biggest increase of any state in the country.
With major projects underway or about to begin, like the silos development in Launceston, the Living City project in Devonport and the Royal Hobart Hospital redevelopment in Hobart, the number of apprentices needed in the building and construction sector is going to increase dramatically.
The register is just part of a suite of initiatives to increase the number of apprenticeships in the building and construction industry.
The Tasmanian Building and Construction Industry Training Board’s Out of Trade Apprentice Program provides a great source of support for employers and apprentices.
At the centrepiece of the TBCITB program is a completion bonus for out of trade apprentices, which provides support for employers to employ out of trade apprentices.
Other support mechanisms for employers includes the funding of refresher training needed during re-employment for apprentices.
The future is incredibly bright for the building and construction sector and the Hodgman Liberal Government is determined to work with the industry to capitalise on the opportunities.