The New South Wales Government is ensuring that 20 per cent of trade roles on all future construction projects will be filled by apprentices as part of the Infrastructure Skills Legacy Program.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the measure creates positions for at least 4,000 apprentices over the next four years.

“With the record $80 billion in infrastructure projects over the next four years, the NSW Government is in a unique position to support young people in acquiring the skills they need for the jobs of the future,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“We want to make sure the next generation of workers at school or in tertiary education have the skills and opportunities to build great careers and this is why we are announcing 20 per cent of tradies on major construction projects will go to apprentices.

“This has already been trialled on five major projects, including Sydney Metro, WestConnex and the Wentworth to Broken Hill Water Pipeline, and has been successful in teaching more young workers new skills.

“Now, we are applying it to all major construction projects.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Skills, John Barilaro, said expanding the trial to all future major construction projects would fill skills shortages and create lasting opportunities for a generation of workers.

“The Infrastructure Skills Legacy Program will guarantee thousands of young apprentices start work on Government projects, leaving behind more than bricks and mortar,” Mr Barilaro said.

“There is no doubt this program will have a generational impact on workers who will be able to tell their families ‘I got my start in life on a NSW government project’.

“The construction industry alone will require an additional 300,000 people over the next decade, and the single biggest threat to our infrastructure spending program is not having the workforce to deliver it.

“By expanding our program we are giving existing workers a chance to learn new skills and significantly increasing the representation of young people in the construction industry.”

Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Andrew Constance, announced the changes on the Sydney Metro Project, which has been successful in training more than 300 apprentices.

“We have proven we can build world class infrastructure and train young workers who will go on to build the future roads and rail NSW needs,” Mr Constance said.

“Since 2011, half a million jobs have been created in NSW, driven by the NSW Liberals & Nationals record investment in infrastructure.

“That is why we are backing thousands more people into great trade jobs and training.”

The announcement forms part of the NSW Government’s Ten Point Construction Plan which aims to make the NSW Government the ‘best in class’ client for the construction industry and its suppliers.

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