Late last week, the WA State Government announced a further $24.5 million dollar support package to assist the building and construction industry to maintain a skilled workforce during the COVID-19 crisis.

The package, announced by Premier Mark McGowan and Training Minister Sue Ellery, along with Reg Howard-Smith, Chair of the Building and Construction Industry Training Board, includes:

• $10 million towards providing an immediate, one-off payment of $2,000 to employers of existing apprentices and trainees who are currently receiving Construction Training Fund (CTF) grant payments.
• A new grants scheme worth $9.5 million will be introduced to assist employers to retain their existing apprentices, with the new monthly payment program to employers of apprentices and trainees beginning from June 1, 2020 and backdated from April 2, 2020, Under the Grants Scheme, the payments will range from $250 per month to $500 per month, per apprentice or trainee, depending on the trades facing the most critical skills shortages in the industry.
• $5 million to support more than 5,000 building and construction apprentices and trainees to complete short training courses. Apprentices and Trainees employed in the building and construction industries can claim up to $1,000 towards the cost of undertaking short courses that assist them to up-skill in their role.

Premier Mark McGowan stated “The construction industry plays an important role in Western Australia and employs thousands of people across a range of trades. It’s important we look after our local businesses, apprentices and trainees – this funding will go towards making sure jobs are maintained and our construction workforce is ready to assist with the post-COVID-19 economic recovery”.

More information for employers and employees can be found here http://www.ctf.wa.gov.au/

If your business is in the building or construction industry and you would like to discuss eligibility for the State Government package, contact The Apprenticeship Community WA on:

Metro and Regional WA – 08 6165 3362

Kimberley Region WA – 08 9193 5207