PREMIER PROMISES PERFECT TEN FOR APPRENTICES
19 Mar 2009
by:
A policy stating that ten percent of workers on every State and Federal infrastructure project will be apprentices and trainees is set to be put in place under a new Bligh Government.
Premier Anna Bligh said the plan - which expands on an existing State Government training scheme – will support thousands of new apprentice positions for Queensland.
The new ten percent plan will:
• Expand the State Government’s existing 10% training policy to include any construction or civil works contracts let by the State Government worth more than $500,000 including works carried out by Government Owned Corporations, Alliance Projects, Special Vehicle Contracts and Public Private Partnerships (these forms of projects were excluded under the previous scheme)
• Cover infrastructure contracts delivered with Federal Funds administered by the Queensland Government
“The Queensland economy needs these young workers - they are the foot soldiers who will build our prosperity after the global financial crisis has passed,” said the Premier.
“Less than 12 months ago we were tackling a serious skills shortage and we need to continue to plan for when the good times return.
“Our capital works program for next year is worth $14.7 billion – around $7 billion worth of those projects would not have been covered without the expanded scheme.
“This ten percent plan means the entire $14.7 billion program will now support up to 2,228 apprentice or trainee positions.”
The Premier said the policy means that Queensland’s skills base will gain the maximum benefit from the Federal Government’s Economic Stimulus Plan.
“Around $4.45 billion worth of projects to be delivered in Queensland by the State Government under the Federal Economic Stimulus plan will now be covered by our ten percent policy,” said Ms Bligh.
“That will support over 1,300 new apprentice or trainee positions.”
Ms Bligh said there are currently 48,066 apprentices and 43,691 trainees working in Queensland while apprentice and trainee numbers have grown by 25% over the last three years compared to 7% nationally.
”But the Global Financial Crisis means Queensland is experiencing a significant downturn in a range of industries, including building and construction and that has led to a reduction in new apprentice and trainee positions,” she added.
“We need to stop that decline and make sure the existing apprentice and trainee positions are retained,” said the Premier.
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