Apprentice scheme goes out bush

A SCHEME that rewards employers who take on more trainees and apprentices has been expanded into all regional areas.

Priority Access is an accreditation system that takes into account an individual company’s commitment to training when awarding large State Government contracts.

Minister for Works Rob Johnson said all WA companies tendering for Contracts and Manage-ment Services building works worth more than $150,000 would need to be accredited by the Department of Training.

Mr Johnson said the scheme would operate for a six-month pilot period before being progressively implemented across all industries involved in Government contracting.

He said the scheme was not compulsory but would provide a significant advantage to employers who supported training and apprenticeship schemes.