Media Release
27 January 2010
Kickstart Apprenticeships Program Kicks Goals
Statement by Richard Calver, Acting Chief Executive Officer
Master Builders Australia, the peak building body for the building and construction industry,
today endorsed
the Australian Government’s positive assessment of the Kickstart
Apprenticeships Program which commenced on 1 December 2009 and which has signed up
6,400 trade apprentices from the National Skills Needs List in just over six weeks. The 60
trades on this list include 21 building and construction occupations.
“This program, which runs until 28 February 2010, was designed with the dual objectives of
addressing the serious decline in apprenticeship commencements resulting from the
economic slowdown and raising
workforce participation rates for 15 to 19 year olds,” said
Richard Calver, Master Builders Acting CEO. “So far, it is achieving both objectives.
“The Australian Government’s additional financial incentive of $3,350 to employers to take on
new young apprentices has worked, even allowing for the reduced activity in the building and
construction industry over the summer break. The total incentive payment is now $7,350.
Such incentives help to address the considerable costs to an employer of training
apprentices, particularly for younger apprentices in their first year when they are less
productive.
“The apprenticeship system continues to deliver the wide range of skills required by the
building and construction industry,
which is reflected in the fact that 40 per cent of our
workforce has vocational qualification.
These new apprentices will address future skills
shortages.
“Considering this successful outcome, Master Builders calls on its members to continue to
support the Kickstart program before it finishes on 28 February, and on the Australian
Government to favourably consider extending the program past that date to boost workforce
participation and help youth transition from school to work.”
Contact:
Richard Calver, Acting Chief Executive Officer
Mobile: 0422 866 766
Neil Gow, National Manager Training
Mobile: 0412 699 565
NEWS 
