WA commits $37.5 million to boost apprenticeships and training
A cash bonus scheme to attract tradies to work in the building and construction industry in Western Australia has been extended after more than 300 workers took up the offer.
The Build a Life in WA Incentive provides building and construction workers up to $10,000 to move to WA.
According to the WA government, a total of 1,019 skilled workers have submitted a claim or are currently having their claim assessed, with 361 already having received their first milestone payment of $5,000.
Many of the tradespeople lured through the program come from New Zealand, New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria.
"We're thrilled so many have taken the opportunity to make the move to help meet the demand of Western Australia's booming construction industry," said WA Premier Roger Cook in a statement.
This week the State Govenment annnounced an investment of $25.2 million in its wage subsidy program aimed at helping building and construction employers recruit new tradies.
The program, Group Training Organisation Wage Subsidy, helps cover employers' costs associated with hiring an apprentice or trainee.
The fresh funding boost will create an additional 225 apprenticeship or trainee placements, with funding covering 150 slots at a 75% subsidy and the remaining 75 at a full 100% subsidy.
The major investment is part of the government's $37.5 million state budget commitment to boost apprenticeships and training in WA.
"To build this workforce, we're investing in training to deliver the workforce of tomorrow while also attracting job-ready tradies for the workforce of today," said Skills and TAFE Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson in a statement.
The remaining $12.3 million will be divided between the Build a Life in WA Incentive and the extension of the Construction Visa Subsidy Programme.
The Construction Visa Subsidy Programme grants employers payments of up to $10,000 to offset the costs of hiring a skilled migrant, such as migration agent fees, visa application fees, and relocation expenses.
The government has so far granted more than $10.13 million in funding through the programme, with 849 of the 1,619 skilled migrants arriving in WA and starting employment for 364 businesses throughout the state.
