New Apprenticeships To Bolster Queensland Construction Workforce

Queensland’s construction industry is set to receive a boost, with 4,500 new apprenticeships to be supported through two programs aimed at addressing skills shortages across the state.

The Government has launched the new TradieStart program alongside an extension of the Small Business Apprenticeship Program, with the initiatives expected to support thousands of new construction apprentices.

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TradieStart will support 2,500 apprenticeships across construction, plumbing, engineering and electrical trades.

Eligible small businesses taking on their first apprentice will receive a base payment of $10,000, with an additional $4,000 available where the apprentice is aged over 21.

A further $2,000 can be provided when an apprentice is hired from a priority cohort, including veterans, women, people with a disability and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

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Medium and large businesses and Group Training Organisations can also receive $10,000 for employing an apprentice from a priority cohort, with a further $4,000 available for apprentices aged over 21.

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The Small Business Apprenticeship Program will also be extended to provide wage subsidies for a further 2,000 construction apprenticeships.

Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training Ros Bates said the programs would help address workforce shortages while supporting Queensland’s growing construction pipeline.

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“We’re not just battling a skills crisis, we’re also fighting a Federal Labor Government which seems intent on making things worse,” Minister Bates said.

“Queensland construction workers have a golden era in front of them thanks to the Crisafulli Government’s ambitious infrastructure pipeline, and we’re delivering the help businesses need to get more hands on the tools.

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“Steven Miles’ legacy was a construction skills shortage the size of a Suncorp Stadium crowd and his mates in Canberra don’t seem to understand that we need to back businesses and workers to get things built.

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“While the Albanese Labor Government continues its cash grab by cutting support for apprentices, the Crisafulli Government is opening doors for Queenslanders keen to get on the tools and backing the businesses that put them on.”

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Minister for Small and Family Business Steve Minnikin said the programs would provide additional opportunities for Queenslanders considering careers in the trades.

"The Small Business Apprenticeship Pilot Program proved incredibly popular, and by extending that initiative while also introducing TradieStart, we’re creating even more opportunities for Queenslanders to pursue a career in the trades and help build our State’s future," Minister Minnikin said.

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"Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and these programs will give them the confidence and support they need to take on apprentices, creating jobs and strengthening communities across Queensland."

Construction Skills Queensland Chair Sue-Ann Fresneda said the new program would help employers overcome some of the barriers associated with taking on apprentices.

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"Queensland's construction pipeline presents a generational opportunity for the state but delivering it will depend on our ability to attract, retain and develop the skilled workforce needed to support it," Ms Fresneda said.

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"TradieStart helps employers invest in the next generation of tradies by reducing barriers to employing apprentices and creating more pathways into meaningful, long-term careers in construction.”

For Mackay and regional Queensland, the additional apprenticeship opportunities come as the construction sector continues to require a skilled workforce to support major infrastructure and development projects.

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Small business owner and KALM Construct Director Calum Moore said financial incentives could make a significant difference to businesses considering taking on an apprentice.

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“Taking on an apprentice is a big commitment as an employer and without incentives like TradieStart and the Small Business Apprentice Program a lot of small businesses wouldn’t be able to make it happen, financially,” Mr Moore said.

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“For us, these incentives make taking on an apprentice and giving back to the industry possible and I’d recommend them to other construction business owners."

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