AS PART of the Federal Government’s attempt to lure more young people into trades the recently announced Budget offered cash as well as a contribution towards training fees for young apprentices in some trades.

Apprentices in skill-shortage trades will be give a tax free wage top up of $1000 a year for the first two years. The payment will be available for those aged under 30 and is aimed at encouraging more people to take up an apprenticeship and to complete their training.

First and second year apprentices in skill-shortage trades, regardless of age, will also be entitled to a voucher of $500 which they can use to help offset course fees for their training.

An extra $84m will also be spent over five years to establish three new Australian Technical Colleges in Brisbane, Sydney and Perth, taking the total number of colleges to 28.

Apprentices will also be able to obtain their qualifications more quickly with “time-based restrictions” on apprenticeships being scrapped.

A scheme to fast track apprentices also receive funding in the budget. Vocational Minister Andrew Robb reportedly said the $56m funding will be provided to assist industries and employers develop special programs to facilitate the changes.

“In response to a Council of Australian Government’s decision in February 2006, all references to fixed durations in awards have been removed so there are no barriers to prevent early sign off based on competency,” he told The Advertiser newspaper.

“The program will take advantage of the opportunities this flexibility creates to increase the number of qualified tradespeople within a designed industry more quickly.”