Master Builders today is formally launching its Jobs and Skills for the Future policy as part of its Strong Building: Strong Economy campaign for the next term of government. “Master Builders’ policy is driven by productivity reforms to the apprenticeship system that will form part of the additional 300,000 skilled workers in the construction industry in the coming decade,” Wilhelm Harnisch, CEO of Master Builders Australia said. “A revitalised and skilled workforce is important to driving future productivity of the industry, in providing rewarding careers and in supporting economic growth which is important to Australia’s standard of living,” he said. “The building and construction industry is at the forefront in providing over 1,000,000 workers with rewarding jobs,” Wilhelm Harnisch. “The construction industry is the largest full-time employer of Australians under 24 years of age. It also trains the largest number of apprentices with 48,200 Australians enrolled in construction training across Australia,” he said. “Master Builders Australia has set a target of 100,000 building trade apprentices in training by 2020 and a reduction in the 50% drop out rate in launching its call for a revitalised apprenticeship training system,” Wilhelm Harnisch said. “The 14 per cent increase in apprentice tradies commencing apprenticeships in the past year and the contrasting 24 per cent fall in apprentices completing their apprenticeships shown in the latest data from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) is evidence that while there has been improvement there remains a long way to go before the system meets the industry’s needs,” Wilhelm Harnisch said. Master Builders’ benchmarks for delivering workforce skills and an apprenticeship system that meets the needs of both young people and employers are:
Master Builders’ 10 key policy priorities to deliver these outcomes are: