Up to 4,000 apprentices and trainees will be working on major State Government infrastructure projects over the next four years under a new policy announced today by Premier Alan Carpenter.
Up to 4,000 apprentices and trainees will be working on major State Government infrastructure projects over the next four years under a new policy announced today by Premier Alan Carpenter.
Mr Carpenter said the Priority Start - Building policy required building and construction contractors to employ a set number of apprentices and trainees on every major project under the State Government's record $18.1 billion capital works program.
"Many contractors already employ apprentices and trainees because it is the right thing to do, but we believe every company bidding for major public projects should contribute," he said.
"We will use the spending power of our record capital works program to boost the number of people in training.
"For projects with a labour component of more than $300,000, we are saying at least one apprentice or trainee should be employed for every million dollars spent on wages*."
Priority Start replaces three existing policies relating to Government tenders and for the first time, the new targets will apply to Government trading enterprises such as Western Power, the Water Corporation and port authorities.
The Premier said the new Priority Start policy would mean less red tape for contractors and agencies alike.
"The Government has consulted widely with the construction industry, trade unions and peak industry bodies such as the Master Builders Association and the Housing Industry Association," he said.
Education and Training Minister Ljiljanna Ravlich said Priority Start was another key initiative to meet the extraordinary demand for skilled workers.
"Western Australia now has a record 32,225 people in apprenticeships and traineeships," Ms Ravlich said.
The Minister said the Carpenter Government was leading the nation in apprenticeship and training reform.
Major initiatives included the following:
- moving from time served to competency based apprenticeships;
- reducing the nominal terms of more than 30 apprenticeships from four years to three or 3.5 years;
- the creation of 11 new housing trades in the building and construction industry;
- a School Apprenticeship Link program has been launched across WA with nearly 300 students securing apprenticeships; and
- legislation to allow for part-time and school based indentured apprenticeships is before State Parliament.
Mr Carpenter said the Priority Start - Building policy would apply to Government building and construction tenders advertised from January 1, 2007.
"Contractors must be committed to training across the board if industry is to have an adequate supply of skilled tradespeople for the future," he said.
"Since the Labor Government came into office in 2001, the number of apprentices and trainees in training has increased by 63 per cent, compared with a national increase of 35 per cent."
"Priority Start - Building is one of many Government initiatives which will see WA continue to lead the nation in apprenticeships and traineeships."
