Up to 21,000 plumbers, electricians, carpenters and other construction tradespeople will be recruited under reforms that will ensure the Australian economy has the skilled workers it needs.
As part of a major overhaul of the apprenticeship system, the Gillard Government will offer greater incentives to critical areas of the economy that are experiencing skills shortages, with an initial focus on the construction industry.
The reforms will better target incentives to employers and put a greater emphasis on full-time jobs in skills that the economy urgently needs.