The need for more apprentices and an urgent reform of industry training is becoming more evident as the shortage of skilled workers in residential construction is set to fall to almost 65,000 nationally by 2012 – 2013.
The HIA estimates that there will be a national shortfall of 59,400 construction workers in 2010 alone. The biggest shortfall is in NSW (34,000), followed by QLD (16,000) in second and WA (6,000) in third.
These figures show that now is the time to invest in apprectices and formal training systems.
With around 190,000 dwellings per year required to meet the underlying demand for housing, it is almost certain that the residential construction industry is going to run into a skills crunch.
Over the past 12 months, more than 4,000 apprentices in the construction trades across Australia have been laid off an estimated 60% of apprentices cancelled out of their apprenticeship in the first 2 years. More apprentices are needed to commence and complete training to reverse this worrying outlook.
To assist both employers and apprenctices, the Australian Government has introduced incentive schemes that will ensure apprentices remain employed and receive adequate formal training.
The ‘Apprentice Kickstart Bonus’ is given to eployers who place young people in traditional trade apprenticeships. The employer bonus is a total of $3,350.
The $145 million ‘Securing Apprenticeships’ package is aimed at helping businesses retain apprentices who are losing their jobsas a result of the economic downturn.
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