Only a re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government will support apprentices, trainees and tradies with a strong pipeline of jobs and opportunities thanks to our record $116 billion infrastructure pipeline to keep NSW moving forward.
New analysis shows that up to 4,000 apprentices will be cut under Labor due to their decision to cancel two major metro projects: Westmead to Western Sydney Airport and Bankstown to Glenfield.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said only the Liberal and Nationals will invest in the infrastructure projects that will support tens of thousands of jobs for years to come.
“Our record investment in infrastructure continues to power the state’s economy, while getting apprentices into jobs and keeping tradies in work right across our state,” Mr Perrottet said.
“We are investing a record $3.1 billion in skills and training including delivering 120,000 fee-free places to grow the pipeline of apprentices and other skilled workers.
“We’re also backing the next generation of tradies and workers through our Kids Future Fund, which will help them pay for vocational education and training, futureproofing our state’s workforce.”
Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens said Labor’s underfunded skills promises and opposition to critical infrastructure projects will mean job opportunities will go begging, despite skills being a burning issue for businesses across the state.
“Across NSW, the Liberal and Nationals’ unprecedented infrastructure investment – and the associated economic benefits and jobs it supports – are there for all to see. Under Labor, that is all at risk,” Mr Henskens said.
“Labor’s plan to scrap two new metro lines in Western Sydney proposed by the Liberal and Nationals will leave tradies high and dry with up to 4,000 apprentice jobs to vanish.
“In comparison, the Liberal and Nationals continue to invest in fee-free training, while pumping record funding into TAFE to build new facilities and transform skills for generations to come.”
The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s plan to support tradies includes:
Small business fees and charges rebate, providing up to $1,000 over two years;
Toll relief, with up to $750 per year for ABN account holders with no more than two tags;
Regional apprentice travel card, providing $250 to help with the cost of the commute to work or training;
Automatic mutual recognition, ensuring that qualifications from interstate can be easily recognised, making it easier to secure labour. A reform that was led by NSW;
120,000 fee-free training places this year to grow the pipeline of skilled workers across NSW;
Establishing the Kids Future Fund, allowing for young adults to draw down on their investment at 18 to support them in education, including purchasing tools as part of their apprenticeship.
Delivering two Institutes of Applied Technology (IAT) in Western Sydney, to ensure we’re skilled with jobs of the future. This includes the Kingswood IAT that is focussed on construction jobs.
Working with industry to develop 100 microcredentials to provide 7,000 training opportunities by 2025, through the $37 million New Education Training Model.