Western Australia's booming housing market has opened the door for the State Government to launch a new $500,000 pilot apprenticeship scheme.
Housing and Works Minister Michelle Roberts today announced that 40 new apprentices had been taken on by the Department of Housing and Works to give young people a start in the building trade.
The Minister said under the pilot initiative, the Department of Housing and Works would test a new training model for apprentice training in Government construction and maintenance work.
She said the company, Skill Hire, would train the apprentices which would include 10 carpenters, 10 electricians, nine plumbers and gasfitters, eight glaziers and three refrigeration mechanics.
By July this year, the 40 new apprentices would be deployed into construction and maintenance projects run by the Department of Housing Works' Western Property division.
To match the apprentices to contractors, the department will establish a precondition for tendering which would commit contractors to engaging apprentices and paying their wages.
