The Australian Skills Guarantee is now in effect, setting new national targets for the number of apprentices, trainees and paid cadets working on eligible Australian Government-funded projects.
The Australian Skills Guarantee (ASG) is designed to help train the next generation of skilled workers and applies to government funded construction and IT projects with a total contract value of $10 million or more.
A minimum of 10 per cent of all labour hours on major and flagship construction projects will need to be undertaken by apprentices and trainees.
Other targets on major construction projects include:
- A minimum of six per cent of all apprentice/trainee labour hours to undertaken by women
- A minimum of four per cent of trade apprentice/trainee labour hours to be undertaken by women.
The targets for women on Commonwealth-funded major construction projects will increase annually to 2030.
Minister for Skills & Training, Brendan O’Connor, said by increasing targets it will help the government double the proportion of women in apprenticeships and traineeships.
The goal is triple participation of women in trade apprenticeships by the end of the decade, an important step to meeting future skills needs.
Flagship construction projects over $100 million will be required to propose and meet more ambitious targets for women apprentices and develop a Gender Equality Action Plan outlining how they will be achieved.
The Skills Guarantee targets will also apply to major social and affordable housing projects under the National Housing Accord, venue infrastructure projects for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games, and road and rail infrastructure projects under the Federation Funding Agreement Schedule.
“The Australian Skills Guarantee leverages the government’s significant purchasing power to drive real change in industries that are vital to the growth of our labour force, our economy and a Future Made in Australia,” O’Connor said.