Further investment has been allocated to several Western Australian construction programs, helping to attract skilled workers and boost apprenticeships
The Western Australian government has announced a $37.5 million State Budget commitment to boost construction apprenticeships and training, as well as attracting ready-to-work skilled tradies.
Also included in the Budget is $25.2 million to expand the Group Training Organisation (GTO) Wage Subsidy Program.
The program helps building and construction employers cover the cost of employing an apprentice or trainee, with this latest funding unlocking an additional 225 places for apprentices or trainees. The investment will see 150 places funded at 75 per cent subsidy and 75 places at 100 per cent.
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$12.3 million is also being invested to extend programs such as the Build a Life in WA Incentive, which targets skilled workers who are Australian and New Zealand citizens, or permanent residents. Eligible building and construction workers are provided with up to $10,000 to encourage them to move to the west.
The top five occupations filled through the program have been electricians, carpenters, plumbers, bricklayers and earthmoving plant operators.
The state government has also extended its Construction Visa Subsidy Program for the third time due to strong demand from WA employers and skilled migrants.
The program is designed to help building and construction businesses engage skilled migrant workers, filling positions that are unable to be filled locally to help speed up delivery of homes and major infrastructure projects across WA.
Under the program, businesses can access payments up to $10,000 to offset costs such as migration agent fees, visa application fees and relocation expenses.