One of Western Australia’s largest unions says a significant decline in the number of people taking up apprenticeships in the state is a clear signal for urgent government intervention.
Statistics released yesterday by the National Centre for Vocational Research showed the number of apprentices or trainees in metal engineering and construction occupations declined by more than 2,000 between 2008 and 2010.
UnionsWA secretary Simon McGurk said the decline was particularly concerning given the significant employment growth that occurred in those sectors during that time.
“These figures back up what we have been saying for some time – what governments are doing to train up our workforce in the areas of high skill demand is just not working,” Ms McGurk said.
“Employers no longer feel it is their obligation to take on apprentices and trainees. They are offered financial incentives to take trainees on – but it’s obviously not enough.”
MsMcGurk said despite repeated warnings of impending skills shortages in the engineering, building and construction trades, the fact that the number of people being trained in those trades was decine required urgent government action.
She said the training figures backed up union and industry campaigns for the Barnett government to capitalise on resource investment in Western Australia.
“When we are looking at approving billion dollar resources projects, we should be asking Chevron, Woodside, BHP: how many people are you going to train as part of the project?,” she said.
“That requirement is not part of the government approval process now, but it should be.”