❓ The Minister for Housing and Works outlines the Carpenter government's initiatives to address the building industry skills shortage, focusing on an apprenticeship program managed by the Department of Housing and Works.
AnsweredQoN 344Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
BUILDING INDUSTRY — SKILLS SHORTAGE
Can the minister inform the house what steps she and the Carpenter government are taking to ease the skills shortage in the building industry? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS
Can the minister inform the house what steps she and the Carpenter government are taking to ease the skills shortage in the building industry? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Swan Hills for the question. The fact of the matter is that the Department of Housing and Works is delivering on behalf of government a massive infrastructure program—a program that is vast, ambitious and unparalleled in the history of our state. However, in order to achieve that program, we depend on the skilled tradespeople in this state. Some time ago, our government decided to take some direct action to increase the number of people training in the building trades. In February 2006 we commenced our industry training program through the Department of Housing and Works. The program in the metropolitan area commenced with 40 apprentices in five trades areas. Since that time, the program has grown in both the number of apprentices and the number of trades on offer. In May this year, it achieved its target of recruiting 150 commencing apprentices, and it currently supports some 115 apprentices and trainees in nine trades areas. The program has now been extended to the regions, with apprentices in Port Hedland, Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek, Peel and the south west. The apprentices are engaged by host employers who provide on-the-job training and daily supervision. Off-the-job training is provided by registered group training organisations. This program has been implemented by the Carpenter government to support a sustainable and prosperous future for Western Australians. It is a well-subscribed program and will ensure that more Western Australians have the necessary skills to support our massive building program.
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: I thank the member for Swan Hills for the question. The fact of the matter is that the Department of Housing and Works is delivering on behalf of government a massive infrastructure program—a program that is vast, ambitious and unparalleled in the history of our state. However, in order to achieve that program, we depend on the skilled tradespeople in this state. Some time ago, our government decided to take some direct action to increase the number of people training in the building trades. In February 2006 we commenced our industry training program through the Department of Housing and Works. The program in the metropolitan area commenced with 40 apprentices in five trades areas. Since that time, the program has grown in both the number of apprentices and the number of trades on offer. In May this year, it achieved its target of recruiting 150 commencing apprentices, and it currently supports some 115 apprentices and trainees in nine trades areas. The program has now been extended to the regions, with apprentices in Port Hedland, Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek, Peel and the south west. The apprentices are engaged by host employers who provide on-the-job training and daily supervision. Off-the-job training is provided by registered group training organisations. This program has been implemented by the Carpenter government to support a sustainable and prosperous future for Western Australians. It is a well-subscribed program and will ensure that more Western Australians have the necessary skills to support our massive building program.
I thank the member for Swan Hills for the question. The fact of the matter is that the Department of Housing and Works is delivering on behalf of government a massive infrastructure program—a program that is vast, ambitious and unparalleled in the history of our state. However, in order to achieve that program, we depend on the skilled tradespeople in this state. Some time ago, our government decided to take some direct action to increase the number of people training in the building trades. In February 2006 we commenced our industry training program through the Department of Housing and Works. The program in the metropolitan area commenced with 40 apprentices in five trades areas. Since that time, the program has grown in both the number of apprentices and the number of trades on offer. In May this year, it achieved its target of recruiting 150 commencing apprentices, and it currently supports some 115 apprentices and trainees in nine trades areas. The program has now been extended to the regions, with apprentices in Port Hedland, Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek, Peel and the south west. The apprentices are engaged by host employers who provide on-the-job training and daily supervision. Off-the-job training is provided by registered group training organisations. This program has been implemented by the Carpenter government to support a sustainable and prosperous future for Western Australians. It is a well-subscribed program and will ensure that more Western Australians have the necessary skills to support our massive building program.
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: I thank the member for Swan Hills for the question. The fact of the matter is that the Department of Housing and Works is delivering on behalf of government a massive infrastructure program—a program that is vast, ambitious and unparalleled in the history of our state. However, in order to achieve that program, we depend on the skilled tradespeople in this state. Some time ago, our government decided to take some direct action to increase the number of people training in the building trades. In February 2006 we commenced our industry training program through the Department of Housing and Works. The program in the metropolitan area commenced with 40 apprentices in five trades areas. Since that time, the program has grown in both the number of apprentices and the number of trades on offer. In May this year, it achieved its target of recruiting 150 commencing apprentices, and it currently supports some 115 apprentices and trainees in nine trades areas. The program has now been extended to the regions, with apprentices in Port Hedland, Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek, Peel and the south west. The apprentices are engaged by host employers who provide on-the-job training and daily supervision. Off-the-job training is provided by registered group training organisations. This program has been implemented by the Carpenter government to support a sustainable and prosperous future for Western Australians. It is a well-subscribed program and will ensure that more Western Australians have the necessary skills to support our massive building program.
I thank the member for Swan Hills for the question. The fact of the matter is that the Department of Housing and Works is delivering on behalf of government a massive infrastructure program—a program that is vast, ambitious and unparalleled in the history of our state. However, in order to achieve that program, we depend on the skilled tradespeople in this state. Some time ago, our government decided to take some direct action to increase the number of people training in the building trades. In February 2006 we commenced our industry training program through the Department of Housing and Works. The program in the metropolitan area commenced with 40 apprentices in five trades areas. Since that time, the program has grown in both the number of apprentices and the number of trades on offer. In May this year, it achieved its target of recruiting 150 commencing apprentices, and it currently supports some 115 apprentices and trainees in nine trades areas. The program has now been extended to the regions, with apprentices in Port Hedland, Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek, Peel and the south west. The apprentices are engaged by host employers who provide on-the-job training and daily supervision. Off-the-job training is provided by registered group training organisations. This program has been implemented by the Carpenter government to support a sustainable and prosperous future for Western Australians. It is a well-subscribed program and will ensure that more Western Australians have the necessary skills to support our massive building program.
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