June 23, 2016
The LNP will create up to 20,000 jobs for young Queenslanders if it wins back government at the next State election, including jobs for South Burnett youth.
Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington unveiled the party’s ‘Get Queensland Working’ plan this week, which aims to provide incentives for businessess to train and retain workers through an apprenticeship boost, small business grants and a bonus scheme for employers.
“The LNP’s plan will provide local businesses with support to recruit young Queenslanders, encourage them to take on apprentices and help them finish their training, and also provide a boost to employers to cover workers compensation premiums,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“Our plan gives young apprentices and tradies in our region that vital first leg up, and it will also encourage more apprentices to complete their training and get into the workforce.”
Mrs Frecklington said the program would include support for up to 20,000 Queensland tradies over four years by contributing $500 towards new tools for apprentices upon completion of their training.
“We understand the costs young tradies in face when they start work, and we’re committed to easing the burden on our young workers,” she said.
Local business owner Ken Mills said he believes the support measures in the plan will be an incentive to improve apprentice completion rates.
“The Apprenticeship Boost and Tools for Tradies programs should help increase apprenticeship completion and provide a good, practical way to reward apprentices and the small business they work for,” he said.
“The Employment Bonus is recognition from Government that employment on-costs such as Workcover contribute to high cost of employment.
“Any relief from on-costs will aid employment of young workers.”
Shadow Employment Minister Jarrod Bleijie said the LNP’s plan would include targeted support for small businesses.
“The LNP has a strong track record of providing pathways to jobs for young Queenslanders, but we recognise more needs to be done,” Mr Bleijie said.
“Labor is all talk and no action when it comes to jobs – it promised to create jobs for Queensland, but its failure to do so has seen 21,300 more young Queenslanders out of work since January 2015.
“In stark contrast, the former LNP government increased funding for vocational education and training and empowered industry so we were training our young people for the high-quality jobs the economy needed.”
The LNP’s plan has four components:
- Queensland Apprenticeship Boost – a $5000 incentive for Queensland businesses who take on a new apprentice from beginning to end. This boost will provide up to 10,000 new apprentices over 4 years.
- Tools for Tradies – a $500 voucher for tradies who complete their apprenticeship to get the tools they need to get working. This will provide tools to 20,000 tradies over 4 years to help them get ahead.
- Start Work Incentive – $4000 grants over 12 months to assist small businesses with recruitment and start-up costs for eligible young Queenslanders (15-24) who are unemployed and not enrolled in full-time education or training. This will provide businesses incentives to employ up to 10,000 young Queenslanders over 4 years.
- Employment Bonus – a bonus to encourage businesses who employ eligible participants under the Apprenticeship Boost and Job Start Incentive will be provided to encourage businesses to train and retain young Queenslanders. After 12 months of continuous employment of each eligible participant, employers will have that workers’ wages excluded as part of the next year’s premium calculation.
