While last night’s Federal Budget confirmed continued support for apprentices, including cost-of-living relief and extended incentives, it was disappointing to see very little recognition of the increased cost pressures facing employers.
At Apprenticeships Are Us Ltd, we work closely with small and medium businesses who provide critical opportunities to young people entering the trades. Many of these employers are not only managing the rising costs of doing business, but also feeling the same personal cost-of-living pressures as everyone else.
The dual burden is real.
We’re increasingly hearing from host employers who are hesitant to take on new apprentices, not because they don’t believe in training the next generation, but because the financial strain is simply too great. Insurance, wages, energy bills, tools, compliance… it all adds up.
Yes, we welcome the measures that support apprentices directly. These are positive steps. But it’s hard to ignore the lack of direct, meaningful support for the employers who make apprenticeships possible in the first place.
If we want to build 1.2 million homes and meet the skills demand of the future, we cannot overlook the businesses that train andmentor the workforce behind it.
The Budget appears to have missed an opportunity to ease the load for employers, and that’s a conversation we need to keep having.
