THE HON TANYA PLIBERSEK MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR EDUCATION AND TRAINING
MEMBER FOR SYDNEY

GED KEARNEY MP
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR SKILLS
MEMBER FOR COOPER

LIBERALS' TRADIE CRISIS DEEPENS: NEW DATA

Scott Morrison’s national tradie crisis has deepened, with new data showing the number of Australians starting an apprenticeship or traineeship in construction – including carpentry, bricklaying, and plumbing – has dropped by an alarming 40 per cent, compared to the same quarter last year.

The data from the independent National Centre for Vocational Education Research also shows there’s been a 20 per cent fall in the number of people signing up to trade apprenticeships and traineeships across the board.

There are still more people dropping out of apprenticeships and traineeships than finishing them.

The Liberals are in their seventh year of government, and Australia has fewer apprentices and trainees today than when they first came to office.

In that time, the Liberals have cut around $3 billion from TAFE and training.

Is it any wonder our nation has a shortage of bricklayers, plumbers, hairdressers, panelbeaters, and other critical tradies?
Businesses are crying out for more qualified workers. The Australian Industry Group says 75 per cent of businesses surveyed are struggling to find the qualified workers they need.

That’s bad for business, and bad for the economy.

There are almost two million Australians out of work or looking for more hours.

Now we know why Scott Morrison isn’t training these people for jobs in trades facing skills shortages: because he’s starving TAFEs and training of funding.

By locking Australians out of education, the Liberals are locking Australians out of jobs.



THURSDAY, 12 DECEMBER 2019