Mr GUNNER - 2009-05-07
Budget 2009-10 is all about protecting Territory jobs. Can you please inform the House what this government is doing to train Territorians to help them take advantage of the range of employment options on offer in the Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his question. Budget 2009-10 was …
Mr Elferink: Tiger Airways.
Mr HENDERSON: Not interested in training Territorians, member for Port Darwin?
Mr Elferink: I am very interested in jobs. I just want to know what you are doing about them with Hai Win and Tiger?
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Port Darwin!
Mr Elferink: He put a question to me, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: Budget 2009-10 is all about protecting Territory jobs. Of course, Territorians can access even more jobs available in an expanding economy with the skills that they need. That is why training is absolutely important, whether at school, re-training to change current job paths, or training to upskill qualifications. Jobs are at the heart of this government’s focus, and training is there to support the jobs agenda of this government. $1.3bn is being spent in this budget on infrastructure; there is an additional 2500 jobs in the construction sector.
We are very proud of our record. Since coming to government in 2001, we have doubled the number of apprentices and trainees in the Northern Territory. We have reached our first target of 10 000 new trainees and apprentices. Budget 2009-10 has an additional $1m to meet a new target of another 10 000 trainee and apprenticeship commencements.
There is an additional $0.5m to expand the WorkReady program; currently it helps at least 500 students to be better prepared to enter the workplace. I have met a significant number of those students over the years and this is a great program in our high schools preparing kids for work.
We have doubled the annual investment into the BuildSkills program, from $500 000 to $1m a year for the next three years. Budget 2009-10 also includes $1.25m to provide apprentices and trainees in skill shortage areas the $1000 Workwear/Workgear Bonus. We know that for those first-year apprentices the wages are pretty tough, and after a pre-qualifying period there is $1000 to support apprentices to purchase tools, and work wear such as safety boots and gear. I have spoken to many apprentices and trainees who are very grateful for that support.
To date, we have spent more than $21m on initiatives under Jobs Plan 3, resulting in more than 3640 apprentices and trainees currently in training. That is a 50% increase from 2001. One thousand eight hundred of those apprentices and trainees are in skill shortage trade areas.
Budget 2009-10 also delivers $1m for the Indigenous training and employment program. There is also $0.5m for the establishment of two regional training hubs - which I will have more to say on in this House. There will be one in Nhulunbuy and the second one in Tennant Creek. Budget 2009-10 is about protecting Territory jobs, but also, to a very large extent, it is also about training Territorians.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his question. Budget 2009-10 was …
Mr Elferink: Tiger Airways.
Mr HENDERSON: Not interested in training Territorians, member for Port Darwin?
Mr Elferink: I am very interested in jobs. I just want to know what you are doing about them with Hai Win and Tiger?
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Port Darwin!
Mr Elferink: He put a question to me, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: Budget 2009-10 is all about protecting Territory jobs. Of course, Territorians can access even more jobs available in an expanding economy with the skills that they need. That is why training is absolutely important, whether at school, re-training to change current job paths, or training to upskill qualifications. Jobs are at the heart of this government’s focus, and training is there to support the jobs agenda of this government. $1.3bn is being spent in this budget on infrastructure; there is an additional 2500 jobs in the construction sector.
We are very proud of our record. Since coming to government in 2001, we have doubled the number of apprentices and trainees in the Northern Territory. We have reached our first target of 10 000 new trainees and apprentices. Budget 2009-10 has an additional $1m to meet a new target of another 10 000 trainee and apprenticeship commencements.
There is an additional $0.5m to expand the WorkReady program; currently it helps at least 500 students to be better prepared to enter the workplace. I have met a significant number of those students over the years and this is a great program in our high schools preparing kids for work.
We have doubled the annual investment into the BuildSkills program, from $500 000 to $1m a year for the next three years. Budget 2009-10 also includes $1.25m to provide apprentices and trainees in skill shortage areas the $1000 Workwear/Workgear Bonus. We know that for those first-year apprentices the wages are pretty tough, and after a pre-qualifying period there is $1000 to support apprentices to purchase tools, and work wear such as safety boots and gear. I have spoken to many apprentices and trainees who are very grateful for that support.
To date, we have spent more than $21m on initiatives under Jobs Plan 3, resulting in more than 3640 apprentices and trainees currently in training. That is a 50% increase from 2001. One thousand eight hundred of those apprentices and trainees are in skill shortage trade areas.
Budget 2009-10 also delivers $1m for the Indigenous training and employment program. There is also $0.5m for the establishment of two regional training hubs - which I will have more to say on in this House. There will be one in Nhulunbuy and the second one in Tennant Creek. Budget 2009-10 is about protecting Territory jobs, but also, to a very large extent, it is also about training Territorians.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016