Wagga business leaders have wholeheartedly welcomed a new scheme to help the building and construction industry invest in its future.
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The federal government has committed $1.2 billion to support 100,000 new apprentices or trainees in a barrage of announcements over the past week heading into Tuesday's budget.
Employers will be able to subsidise apprentice wage by 50 per cent, or $7000 per quarter until September 30, 2021. NSW Business Chamber regional manager Andrew Cottrill said the funding would give businesses the support and confidence they need to invest in the next generation.
"We have been calling for this for quite some time," he said.
"We were very fearful that we were going to have a shortfall of apprentices, particularly with COVID.
"There were concerns about a skills shortage as we wouldn't have enough young trained people coming through the system."
The Business NSW report released earlier this year showed the Riverina on track for 1000 fewer apprenticeships this year compared with 2019, which was attributed to the economic devastation caused by the global pandemic.
Mr Cottrill said the subsidy should go a long way in counteracting that impact.
We were very fearful that we were going to have a shortfall of apprentices.
- Andrew Cottrill
He encouraged young people to consider the option of taking up an apprenticeship as the school year comes to an end.
"It can set you off on a great career," Mr Cottrill said.
Wagga builder Wayne Carter echoed the sentiment, adding any boost for the industry would be welcomed.
"Anything that can help out an employer is only a good thing - it doesn't matter how big or small," he said. "This would definitely make employers consider the option of taking on an apprentice."
From what Mr Carter has seen in the local industry, there's not a reluctance to take someone on.
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"If anything, we are finding trades are not stretched to breaking point, but there is plenty to think about when you accept jobs," he said.
"There is quite a bit of work around at the moment."
Mr Carter added that he hoped the government would put necessary measures in place to ensure no one took advantage of the scheme.
Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn said the wage subsidy would give confidence to the sector that it can sustainably continue training.
"Our members need confidence that they can and should continue to invest in the future capacity of their businesses despite the dramatic collapse in demand that we are currently witnessing, and anticipate will worsen, particularly over the next 12 months," she said.