- New pilot program to help employers take on mature-age apprentices and trainees
- Initiative will help diversify the building and construction workforce
- McGowan government continues to prioritise training for Western Australians as WA’s strong economic recovery continues
Premier Mark McGowan and Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery have today announced a pilot program to improve the employment of mature-age apprentices and trainees in the building and construction industry.
The new $3.4 million pilot will enable employers of new mature age apprentices to receive additional support for employing a mature-age apprentice or trainee. This is on top of the standard Construction Training Fund (CTF) grants, and is based on the annual gap in the award rate for mature-aged apprentices.
The new pilot program will help alleviate some of the additional wage costs faced by employers who might be considering a mature-age apprentice.
The program includes the construction trades of brick and block laying; carpentry and joinery; civil construction (Certificate III traineeship); concreting; painting and decorating; plastering; plumbing and gasfitting; roof plumbing; wall and ceiling fixing; and wall and floor tiling.
To be eligible for participation in the program, applicants must demonstrate previous success in apprentice training completion, success in engagement and retention of Aboriginal and female apprentices, and the provision of appropriate support services for apprentices, trainees and employers.
One hundred and fifty places will be available with 100 allocated to Group Training Organisations and 50 allocated to direct indenture employers with a minimum of 15 per cent participation rate of female and indigenous apprentices in the program.
The grants will be exclusive of overtime and other allowances, leave and superannuation costs, and apply for the period an apprentice or trainee remains actively employed in a training contract.
Electrical is exempt from the mature-age pilot program as there is an approved pilot program in place.