Minister visit highlights Key Apprenticeship Program

Key points

• Skills and Training Minister Andrew Giles joined Bendigo MP Lisa Chesters at a Quarry Hill worksite to promote federal incentives for housing construction apprentices. The Key Apprenticeship Program pays new apprentices $10,000 in five instalments over their training.
• Almost 12,000 apprentices have joined since launch, with carpentry and joinery the most popular trade in the regional housing stream. Regional Victoria has recorded 3,010 housing construction apprenticeship commencements.
• Giles said more homes are needed, including outside metropolitan areas, and that more people need to start working on building sites.