Chris Rodwell

CCIWA CEO

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA (CCIWA) welcomes the strong focus of the Morrison Government on repairing Australia’s pipeline of trade skills.

Today’s announcement will apply a 50 per cent wage subsidy for new apprentices and trainees who are taken on from 5 October, for businesses of any size. By mitigating the cost of taking on new apprentices and trainees, more businesses will be able to consider an apprentices or trainee even while they transition off historic levels of fiscal support.

It builds on previous measures that safeguard the positions of existing apprenticeships and traineeships, applying a comprehensive effort to address this issue, an approach which is strongly welcomed.

WA has a higher demand for trade skills in proportion to the other States and Territories, including in our critical mining sector. Our economy will need to reverse the long-term decline in commencements if we are to fuel a strong recovery from the COVID-19 recession. This is a key priority of CCIWA’s Pre-Budget Submission and COVID-19 Recovery Reform Roadmap.

Working together with Apprenticeship Support Australia, CCIWA is helping hundreds of apprentices and businesses navigate this complex time.

Apprenticeship Support Australia Manager Lena Constantine said with today’s measure, it has never been a more opportune time to add the apprentice you need, while giving a local young person the opportunity to earn while they learn

“Employers taking on a new apprentice or trainee could recoup, on average, around 75 per cent of a first-year apprentices wages through this initiative,” Ms Constantine said.

“Combined with the other incentives and funding support available through Federal and State Government measures, this makes a very appealing option to bring on new staff through the apprenticeship pathway.”

The Chamber movement has been consulting closely and productively with the Federal Government on these measures, led in the effort by our national body ACCI