Northern Territory boss can’t find workers
A Northern Territory businessman is frustrated after trying for months to recruit trainees for his construction companies.
Des Ward run two firms-roofing contractor Metroll and reinforcing steel and mesh company Reomart-at Pinelands, on the outskirts of Darwin. He invited school leavers to apply for the jobs and got three replies.
“One did not bother to turn up for the interview,” he said. “One took a cursory look around and decided it was all too hard. And the other one was not suitable.”
Mr Ward said he was “disappointed with the kids”.
He said the arrival of gas giant Inpex and associated companies would lead to a greater demand for skilled construction workers.
“There’s a damn good career to be had,” he said.
Mr Ward said he would try again to recruit locally but may be forced to look interstate.
The Territory Government has introduced more financial incentives to encourage businesses to take on apprentices and trainees.
Training Minister Paul Henderson said $1 million was now available to local employers.
“This is about creating jobs, building a skilled workforce and supporting our economy,” he said.
Employer incentives include $4000 for businesses that take on apprentices and trainees in skills shortage areas.
Businesses that employ trainees or apprentices from disadvantaged groups will
also be eligible for a $2000 financial incentive. This includes people with a disability and indigenous Territorians.
Apprentices and trainees are also eligible for the workwear/workgear bonus, a one-off payment for apprentices/trainees after they have been employed for three months.
Registered apprentices or trainees get $300; those in skill shortage areas receive $1000.
Under the government’s Jobs Plan 3 program, more than $2 million has been made available for companies to hire apprentices and trainees. About 10,000 have been helped in the past four years. The government has now set a new target of helping another 10,000 young people to take up an apprenticeship or trade by 2012.
“I’m confident that even with the present economic uncertainty, we’ll reach that target again,” Mr Henderson said.
