AUSTRALIA APPRENTICESHIP WAGES HAS INCREASED AS FULL BENCH OF THE FAIR WORK AUSTRALIA TOOK HISTORIC DECISION AND UNIONS ARE HAPPY IN THE COUNTRY BUT IT WILL BE EFFECTIVE JANUARY 2014 Last Updated Fri 23/08/2013 The CFMEU today welcomed the decision of Fair Work Australia that delivers an increase in apprenticeship wages. National Construction Secretary Dave Noonan said the historic decision will help make apprenticeships more attractive to young people considering their career options. “We have campaigned long and hard to lift apprentice wages above the poverty line – where they have been for a long time.” Group Training Australia’s 2007 landmark report found that apprentices were living on the margins of society as a result of their wages falling below the poverty line. “The Full Bench of Fair Work Australia has today issues a historic decision which will increase wage rates for apprentices from January 2014. “Fair Work Australia has recognised what construction workers have known for some time - that apprentices are no longer 14 or 15 years old when they commence, but are now 17 or older and many have completed Year 12 at school. “For too long, apprentices have struggled to make ends meet, often resorting to second jobs or going into debt to meet daily expenses. Too many of them don’t complete their apprenticeships due to low wages. Young people earn more working at McDonald’s than they do as first year apprentice in the construction industry.” Mr Noonan said that the union would be pushing to increase employment opportunities for apprentices and create more places for those looking to be part of Australia’s skilled workforce. “We call on all levels of government: local, state and commonwealth to play their part and introduce quotas for apprentices on all government funded projects – at least one apprentice for every four trades people. “And I call on Prime Minister Rudd and Opposition leader Tony Abbott to act now and support the employment of apprentices. This will help young people get into meaningful, skilled jobs, increase productivity and provide the skilled workforce for the future so that we don’t have to rely on bringing workers from overseas on temporary 457 visas.”
Posted on: Thu, 29 Aug 2013 06:49:59 +0000
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