❓ Mr. Logan raises concerns about declining electrical apprenticeship commencements and cancellations, particularly Western Power's decision not to hire apprentices. The Minister acknowledges the national issue and outlines government policy requiring contractors on government projects to have 11% of their workforce in training.
AnsweredQoN 619Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
TRAINING AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT —
APPRENTICESHIPS
619. Mr F.M. LOGAN to the Minister for Training and Workforce Development:
I refer to the July Building and Construction Industry Training
Fund annualised figures of electrical
apprenticeship enrolments, which show a 15.5 per cent drop in commencements
over the last 12 months, and to the minister's own figures from answers
to question without notice 5490, which show an increase in electrical
apprenticeship cancellations over the last three years.
(1) Does the minister support the disgraceful
decision by Western Power not to employ one single electrical apprentice this
year, when normally it takes on over 100?
(2) What is the minister's plan to
deal with the rogue electrical companies that are taking on apprentices for
only one or two years in order to get federal funding and then cancelling their
indentures?
APPRENTICESHIPS
619. Mr F.M. LOGAN to the Minister for Training and Workforce Development:
I refer to the July Building and Construction Industry Training
Fund annualised figures of electrical
apprenticeship enrolments, which show a 15.5 per cent drop in commencements
over the last 12 months, and to the minister's own figures from answers
to question without notice 5490, which show an increase in electrical
apprenticeship cancellations over the last three years.
(1) Does the minister support the disgraceful
decision by Western Power not to employ one single electrical apprentice this
year, when normally it takes on over 100?
(2) What is the minister's plan to
deal with the rogue electrical companies that are taking on apprentices for
only one or two years in order to get federal funding and then cancelling their
indentures?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I thank the member for the
question. The decline in apprenticeship numbers is an issue that the entire
country of Australia is facing. We have seen less of a decline in the uptake of
apprenticeships and traineeships in Western Australia compared with other
jurisdictions. Indeed, in New South Wales the decline in the uptake of apprenticeships
has been in the region of 46 per cent. With respect to the issue with Western
Power, I am not aware of its policy around apprenticeships and traineeships but
I will certainly take that up with the Minister for Energy and find out exactly
why that decision was made. However, a number of issues are facing employers at
present. When we see a decline in economic conditions and in future project
growth for some of these companies that traditionally take on apprenticeships,
they are less inclined to take on apprenticeships.
Mr F.M. Logan : What are you doing about it?
Mrs L.M. HARVEY : As a government, we have our government
policy with respect to employment.
Mr F.M. Logan : Tell us about it.
The SPEAKER : Member
for Cockburn! Through the Chair.
Mrs L.M. HARVEY : Thank you, Mr Speaker. As the member for
Cockburn is well aware, we announced our policy around government projects.
All � contractors who take on government
project work need to demonstrate to us, if they have an employee component of
over $2 million, that 11 per cent of their workforce is engaged in training or
apprenticeships.
Several members interjected.
Mrs L.M. HARVEY : That is a requirement now.
Mr F.M. Logan interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Cockburn!
Mrs L.M. HARVEY : That is a requirement now for government
contractors. With respect to the issue the member has raised about Western
Power, it sounds as though that may well be contrary to our policy, and it is
an issue I will need to take up with the Minister for Energy.
question. The decline in apprenticeship numbers is an issue that the entire
country of Australia is facing. We have seen less of a decline in the uptake of
apprenticeships and traineeships in Western Australia compared with other
jurisdictions. Indeed, in New South Wales the decline in the uptake of apprenticeships
has been in the region of 46 per cent. With respect to the issue with Western
Power, I am not aware of its policy around apprenticeships and traineeships but
I will certainly take that up with the Minister for Energy and find out exactly
why that decision was made. However, a number of issues are facing employers at
present. When we see a decline in economic conditions and in future project
growth for some of these companies that traditionally take on apprenticeships,
they are less inclined to take on apprenticeships.
Mr F.M. Logan : What are you doing about it?
Mrs L.M. HARVEY : As a government, we have our government
policy with respect to employment.
Mr F.M. Logan : Tell us about it.
The SPEAKER : Member
for Cockburn! Through the Chair.
Mrs L.M. HARVEY : Thank you, Mr Speaker. As the member for
Cockburn is well aware, we announced our policy around government projects.
All � contractors who take on government
project work need to demonstrate to us, if they have an employee component of
over $2 million, that 11 per cent of their workforce is engaged in training or
apprenticeships.
Several members interjected.
Mrs L.M. HARVEY : That is a requirement now.
Mr F.M. Logan interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Cockburn!
Mrs L.M. HARVEY : That is a requirement now for government
contractors. With respect to the issue the member has raised about Western
Power, it sounds as though that may well be contrary to our policy, and it is
an issue I will need to take up with the Minister for Energy.
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