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SA Govt provides incentives for businesses to hire local apprentices

Reforms to South Australia’s Industry Participation Plans is giving companies that employ apprentices as part of their tendering processes for government procurement and projects a better chance of winning tenders.

Reforms to South Australia’s Industry Participation Plans is giving companies that employ apprentices as part of their tendering processes for government procurement and projects a better chance of winning tenders.Reforms to South Australia’s Industry Participation Plans is giving companies that employ apprentices as part of their tendering processes for government procurement and projects a better chance of winning tenders.

State Minister for Industry and Skills David Pisoni said the reforms to the plans means businesses that employ apprentices and trainees will have an increased weighting to win tenders for projects under $50 million.

“Once a contract has been awarded, the Office of the Industry Advocate will work with businesses to determine the number of apprentices that will be engaged throughout the contract either directly or through sub-contractors and suppliers.

“This will help support the creation of 20,800 work-based apprenticeships and traineeships in South Australia over the next four years.”

He said it is expected that approximately 150 tenders per year will now include apprentices and trainees in workforce plans.

Master Builders South Australia CEO Ian Markos said apprenticeships are vital to building a skilled supply of workers for industry.

“Unfortunately, the number of apprentices has seriously declined in an environment where consumers and many of our members are already grappling with a skills shortage,” Mr. Markos said.

“Without suitably trained people coming through, our industry will suffer badly.”


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