Industry cautious on new training push

摘要

Industry groups in Western Australia are adopting a "suck it and see" response to a new apprenticeship and training policy announced by the state government. Under the policy, companies tendering for most state construction contracts worth more than 2 million dollars must comply with new rules covering the employment of apprentices and the up-skilling of existing employees. At the same time, the government announced that contractors working on substantial projects for the Housing and Works Department will be subject to site visits and increased monitoring of their occupational safety and health performance. The new Building Skills Policy on apprentices and employee training was announced by Premier Geoff Gallop on October 10. It took effect immediately.