Scheme to promote Aboriginal apprenticeships

24/10/93

The State Government has introduced a new scheme aimed at providing increased opportunities for the training and employment of young Aboriginal apprentices in the housing and construction industry.

Housing Minister Richard Lewis said today that the scheme would see companies which successfully tendered for Aboriginal Housing Board contracts eligible for a rebate if they engaged Aboriginal apprentices on the job.

"The Aboriginal Training Incentive scheme is open to all building companies with the specific aim of encouraging the employment of young Aboriginal apprentices," Mr Lewis said.

The Minister said building companies that employed Aboriginal apprentices would receive no preference before tender and would have to compete on an equal basis regardless of their composition.

"If, after a contract is completed, any company can prove it has engaged Aboriginal apprentices on the job, it will be eligible for the rebate," Mr Lewis said.

"Those companies will receive a two per cent rebate on the contract price for each Aboriginal apprentice up to a maximum of $10,000."

Mr Lewis said to claim the refund, companies would be required to provide personal details of apprentices, their Aboriginality and length of time on the job.

He said the scheme replaced an earlier one which was found to be too restrictive in the number of companies eligible to participate.

The scheme has been developed in consultation with the Master Builders' Association and the Housing Industry Association.

Media contact: Paul Plowman 222 9595/221 1377