11. DAVE HEREORA (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister for Building and Construction
Has he received any recent reports on apprenticeships in the building industry?
Hon SHANE JONES (Minister for Building and Construction) Link to this
Yes, I have seen a report on the launch of the BeConstructive programme, developed by the Built Environment Training Alliance. The programme will encourage young people back into the construction sector. The alliance also reports that apprenticeship numbers in this sector have grown by 300 percent since the Government introduced the new Modern Apprenticeships scheme.
I am advised that by 2006 the Government had invested $114 million in its Modern Apprenticeships scheme since its inception in 2000. I am also advised that by 2008-09, funding for Modern Apprenticeships will have increased to $50 million a year, continuing to rebuild our skill base after apprenticeships were demolished by National.
More good news is on the way—13,739 apprentices are in training across the building and construction sector. This is more than half the number who were able to be trained in the 15 years from 1992, as a consequence of Mr Bill Birch’s killing off apprenticeships.
Hon Brian Donnelly Link to this
Is it not true that if it had not been for New Zealand First there would be no such thing as a Modern Apprenticeship Training Act?