Treasurer Jim Chalmers touts the May 2024 Budget as one “for here and now and for the decades to come” with the federal government’s main priorities to help with the cost of living, building more homes, and developing a skilled workforce.
On Tuesday (14 May 2024) Chalmers handed down his third budget which expands eligibility to the New Energy Apprenticeships Program to include apprentices with exposure to work in clean energy, including in construction and advanced manufacturing.
“This will provide access to $10,000 incentive payments and support our target of 10,000 new energy apprentices. To further support renewable energy superpower ambitions, the government will commit $30 million to turbocharge the VET teaching workforce for clean energy courses and $50 million to support clean energy training facility upgrades and expansion,” he says in the budget.
The government notes that delivering the skills for a Future Made in Australia will require more women working in male-dominated sectors, such as mining and resources. As such, it will invest $55.6 million to establish the Building Women’s Careers program to support women’s participation in key industries including clean energy and advanced manufacturing.
The program will reportedly help to drive structural change and broaden the employment opportunities of a Future Made in Australia.
These budget measures come as Australia’s mining sector continues to face a skills shortage in its workforce.
A recent Mining and Automotive Skills Alliance (AUSMASA) survey shows 73% of young Australians between the ages of 15 and 24 think the resources sector does more harm than good to the world.
While 24% of survey respondents believe mining is extremely important and 42% say it’s very important to Australia’s economy, AUSMASA’s survey highlights the positive aspects of mining is a topic that needs to be more broadly discussed, as reported.
The report reveals only 17% are speaking about or considering mining careers.
Mining tends to not be the hottest topic of conversation for Gen Z, as nearly 50% are unaware of the other ways to forge a career in the sector outside of traditional mining jobs.
AUSMASA’s findings show that non-traditional mining jobs are a way to boost the sector’s appeal as a viable career path for school leavers.
Write to Adam Orlando at Mining.com.au
Images: iStock & Black Cat Syndicate
