Campbelltown would be one of the big winners under a plan to reverse the decline in trainee and apprentice numbers.
NSW Labor says that if it wins the next election 15 percent of construction on government projects valued over $500,000 will be allocated to apprentices, trainees, Indigenous Australians and the long term unemployed.
It is estimated that this target could create up to 9,000 jobs.
Local MP Greg Warren has backed the policy.
He says in Campbelltown major infrastructure projects like road upgrades and the many other existing and proposed capital works projects must have apprenticeship targets to support young people in the region.
“This Liberal Government has removed the confidence that generations of Australians have had in the TAFE system,” he said today.
“Our policy will ensure that young people in the Macarthur region can start a TAFE course knowing there will be employment opportunities when they finish.
“It is unacceptable that the youth unemployment rate for our region is 11.6 percent.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“We need to be doing all that we can to ensure our young people are getting the opportunities they need to start a career.”[/social_quote]
Labor says something needs to be done because apprenticeship numbers are in freefall across Australia.
It says that in NSW alone, this decline has now reached 63,000 since the Liberals came to office six years ago in 2011.
The party’s Skills spokesperson, Prue Car, says if it wins government, Labor will also:
• reserve at least 70 percent of VET [Vocational Education and Training] funding for TAFE NSW;
• establish a Private Providers Investigations Unit, to crack down on dodgy private providers and ensure only the most reputable providers access taxpayer funds.
“We need a government that encourages young people to consider an apprenticeship as the path to a successful career,’’ Ms Car said.
“Major infrastructure projects must have apprenticeship targets so that we can support young people in the midst of a youth unemployment crisis.”
