Employing youth boosts contract hope

EMPLOYING more young people is a way businesses can boost their chances of winning State Government contracts.

Employment and Training Minister Graham Kierath is offering the inducement as part of the Priority Access Program which aims to encourage both private and public sectors to take on more trainees and apprentices.

Mr Kierath said his main aim was to reward employers who agreed to undertake recognised training programs in the workplace.

“Priority Access is an accreditation system which will consider each business’s commitment to training as a pre-requisite to the allocation of large State Government contracts,” Mr Kierath said.

“Soon, only registered businesses will be eligible for most government contracts over $150,000.”

Mr Kierath said businesses tending for State Government building and construction contracts valued at more than $150,000, or goods and services contracts valued at more than $500,000, would need to acquire accreditation to obtain contracts.