The Australian Resources & Energy Employer Association welcomes Federal Budget investment in skills and training, including for apprentices, women and the construction industry.
Support payments will continue to apprentices to help them complete training while the Strategic Review of the Apprenticeship Incentive System is underway.
These include $5,000 for apprentices in priority occupations, with their employers receiving a $5,000 hiring incentive.
More than $90 million over three years has been earmarked to help skill the building and construction workforce, including 15,000 fee-free TAFE and VET places and 5,000 pre-apprenticeship programs.
The Government will invest $55.6 million to establish the Building Women’s Careers program to support women’s participation in key industries including manufacturing and construction.
Implementing measures from the Australian Universities Accord sees a $240 million investment to make the HELP system fairer, while Jobs and Skills Australia receives $9.5 million for improved data and analytical capacity.
There is $91 million over five years for the Skilling the Clean Energy Workforce package, including $50 million to upgrade and expand clean energy training facilities and $30 million to boost the VET teaching workforce for clean energy courses.
AREEA CEO Steve Knott said labour supply and skills shortages persisted in the resources and energy sector.
“Almost 30,000 extra workers will be needed to meet more than 100 major resources and energy projects in the investment pipeline over the next four years,” Mr Knott said.
“AREEA has been working with the government and advocating solutions in the VET system and other training areas, so it is pleasing to see this overdue focus on building the highly skilled workforce that Australia’s continued economic prosperity will rely on.”
Mr Knott acknowledged production tax credits to attract investment in green hydrogen and critical minerals, but said this should not be at the expense of Australia’s traditional mining strengths such as iron ore and oil and gas.
“This and last year’s budget have delivered combined surpluses of $31.4 billion,” Mr Knott said.
“Indisputably, the efforts of the hard-working men and women in resources and energy industries played a major part in this – with the budget papers showing the resources sector as the largest single contributor to company tax payments, at around 40 per cent.
“However, it’s not missed on these wonderful workers that for the second budget in a row, there is not a single mention or recognition that it is their powerhouse sector, and not politicians, responsible for seeing the nation through difficult economic times.
“This enormous contribution should never be taken for granted. Whether it’s taxation, project red-tape, workplace flexibilities or productivity, governments must focus on maintaining Australia’s competitive advantage and global investment appeal.
“AREEA is and will continue to work closely with its members and the Australian government to ensure our nation is putting its best foot forward and focusing on the right priorities for business, growth and the community.”
