The Queensland Government is helping small and family-owned construction businesses train and retain apprentices.
Since the launch of the $19 million Small Business Apprenticeship Pilot Program last October, 526 small businesses have benefited from the subsidised wages of 579 in-training apprentices.
Of the 35 trades included in the pilot program, carpentry accounts for 26.3 per cent of current registrations, followed by electrical (25.3 per cent) and plumbing (15.7per cent).
Eligible small businesses can receive a wage subsidy of 50 per cent of the typical wage for first and second year construction apprentices and 25 per cent for third and fourth year apprentices while attending the equivalent of up to eight weeks of training a year. The program includes:
- Apprentices 21 and over who may be eligible for a total subsidy payment of $13,740 over four years.
- Apprentices under 21 who may be eligible for a total subsidy payment of $10,060 over four years.
The Queensland Government is further backing the state’s construction sector and apprentices through:
- More than $98 million in construction specific training initiatives over the 2024-25 period, supporting over 29,000 students.
- $10 million to continue the delivery of the Free Apprenticeships for Under 25s program over two years.
- $4 million for free Construction Apprenticeships for eligible Over 25s over three years.
- A new $78 million TAFE Centre of Excellence training hub for construction and allied trades at Caloundra.
- Support of the $60 million Construction Skills Queensland Annual Training Plan (2025-26) to fund skills development, workforce support, and industry research.
Read full media statement here: https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/104692
