Yahoo Finance 10,000 Aussies to score $10k boost under new plan
The Labor party will offer $10,000 cash payments to support 10,000 energy apprenticeships should it be elected, Anthony Albanese revealed on Thursday.
The Labor leader used his Budget Reply speech to showcase the $100 million plan, which would see apprenticeships partly funded by $10,000 grants over four years.
“The world is moving quickly to embrace new energy sources. Australia can be at the forefront of this change, creating secure jobs here at home – but only if we have a government that is willing to lead,” Albanese said.
“We’ll back the skills and smarts of our people – because that’s what good governments do.”
The apprenticeships will be in the renewable sector, green hydrogen, soil technology, the creation of storage batteries and energy efficiency upgrades.
He said the cash splash was required to support the “energy jobs of the future”. The $10,000 would be split over the four years, with $2,000 paid upon the apprenticeship’s start and the remaining money paid out at $2,000 per year.
The cash is paid directly to the apprentices, rather than the employers in a bid to ensure apprentices finish their training.
“The government has proven incapable,” Albanese said.
“Positive action on climate change and moving to net zero emissions by 2050 will create jobs, lower energy prices and lower emissions.
“Labor has a plan to help families and communities play their part in achieving this critical target.”
The Coalition has its own apprenticeship program, however under that scheme employers receive 50 per cent of a young person’s wages back, rather than the apprentice receiving the money directly.
The Labor party also announced it would create apprentices in the construction sector by increasing the amount of social housing built.
"Over the first five years, this will build around 20,000 social housing properties, places like the home I grew up in," Albanese said.
That plan is expected to cost $10 billion. Four thousand of the 20,000 new social housing properties would be set aside for women and children fleeing domestic violence, while certain portions of the properties would be set aside for Indigenous Australians and veterans too.
Albanese said this policy would create 21,500 jobs every year.
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