Building the Next Generation: How Expanded Subsidies Unlock Affordable Access to Trades Talent

Introduction

With widespread infrastructure development and housing affordability in Western Australia underscoring persistent skills shortages, the State government delivered welcome relief for construction firms strained in securing trades talent. The recent 2024 budget has expanded group training organisation (GTO) wage subsidies available for apprentices in priority occupations. For Master Builder Association (MBA) members in WA planning strategic growth; this presents a timely opportunity to reinforce your teams with the next generation of talent through an experienced partner.

Since Skill Hire is Master Builders Western Australia's preferred apprenticeship provider, this article has been written with them in mind, and was originally written as a response to a members enquiry, so why not share the info more broadly?

It should be noted that this funding arrangement is open to Group Training Organisations registered in Western Australia by the Department of Training and Workforce Development (DTWD). All, funding and incentives is always subject to eligibility criteria set by the funding body.

Overview of Expanded Subsidy Program

Outlining further commitments toward developing WA’s building workforce pipeline, Premier Roger Cook announced a $21.5 million injection to create 150 additional apprentice subsidy places next year. This supplements the fully utilized existing quota of 300 over 2022/2023 which provided construction small and medium enterprises (SMEs) avenues for new talent acquisition partially subsidized by wage cost aid.

With demand intensifying for “more boots on the ground” fueling large-scale housing and infrastructure projects, the GTO Wage Subsidy alleviates cost pressures, allowing firms to augment personnel. For fresh apprentices, it enables direct industry exposure and structured competency development tracking priority trades such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical.

For SMEs who may not have the overheads for administrative aspects like recruitment, human resources or safety compliance, outsourcing employment obligations to an experienced GTO like Skill Hire unlocks access to apprentices without the headaches.

Skill Hire GTO Credentials and Service Offering

An industry mainstay in WA for over 30 years, Skill Hire meets State registration requirements as a GTO eligible to claim and pass down wage subsidies to host employers. With competencies spanning 12+ trades and a track record of developing over 2000 apprentices into professional tradesmen, Skill Hire goes beyond financial incentives.

As an end-to-end talent partner for members, Skill Hire deploys recruitment expertise to source candidates that match technical aptitudes to workplace culture. Structured skills assessments identify capabilities so individuals align with support needed to excel. Robust mentoring provides personalised assistance while customised courses give apprentices well-rounded employability skills.

On top they handle all administrative aspects – from uniforms, paperwork, and payroll to compliance and workplace insurance. This means members get subsidised apprentices strengthening project delivery without worrying about HR or legislative considerations. With local teams coordinating job rotations, apprentices gain exposure across projects to round out learning.

Significant Benefits for MBA Members

Accessing the GTO Wage Subsidy need not be complex with an experienced navigator like Skill Hire. Key benefits include:

1. Mitigated Talent Sourcing/Acquisition Costs

• Subsidy protects cash flow with wage burden partially offset
• Reduce expenses related to independent recruitment and screening
• 30-50% saving on quality apprenticeship facilitation services

2. Productivity Lift From Job-ready Talent

• Candidates pre-assessed on aptitude and workplace behaviour
• Tailored mentoring fast-tracks ability activation
• Broad industry connections expand talent pool beyond firm proximity

3. Smoothened Workflow Via Third-Party Employment

• Alleviate hassles like HR, payroll, insurance, supervision obligation
• Tap expansive employer network for job rotations maximizing exposure
• Specialist handling risks non-compliances, claims, stresses detracting focus

4. Long-Term Sustenance Of In-House Skills Legacy

• Multi-year apprentice training develops loyal qualified trades teams
• Custom program alignment with business objectives and specialties
• Ongoing priority access to alumni talent pipeline post-graduation

Requirements and Considerations

While Skill Hire shoulders administrative necessities, members play instrumental role fulfilling onsite training. Key expectations include:

• Providing hands-on trade experience under supervision of qualified mentors
• Committing to host duties like instructions, safety checks, reviews etc.
• Ensuring suitable site environment facilitating experiential learning
• Tracking progress, giving feedback aligned to competency timeframes
• Proactive coordination around placements to maximize productivity

With application for the next subsidy intake window opening end-2023, members must also:

• Adhere to priority skill qualification requirements prescribed
• Commence training contracts by December 2024 deadline
• Commit role terms allowing program completion nominated timeframe
• Have necessary safeguards preventing workspace hazards/injury

How the Subsidy Savings Get Passed

On As legal employer, Skill Hire performs complete subsidy administration – eligibility checks, payment requests, verification compliance. Confirmed funds then get credited to members on a proportional basis represented in adjusted apprenticeship service fees.

Skill Hire subsidy team analyses activity to accurately reconcile wages paid, billable hours worked, external earnings that can offset employer costs. Period checks between projected and actual data prevent discrepancies. Members enjoy streamlined application without paperwork.

With built-in tracking on a per apprentice basis, members gain micro-level visibility into subsidy amounts accrued, relevant recognition criteria met and overall savings unlocked using Skill Hire’s integrated GTO wage subsidy facilitation.

Streamlined Process Via Experienced Partner

Skill Hire’s extensive GTO background offers members critical assistance sorting complex regulatory nuances around using subsidies, unlocking incentives and developing construction talent. Compliance can get challenging, more so with evolving conditions trying to expand workforces.

Count on guidance tailoring proposals suiting strategic objectives. Take advantage of proprietary apprentice assessment tools determining job preparedness. Leverage connections with training bodies ensuring development aligns competency needs. Be assured complete transparency through collaborative tracking placed talent progress onsite.

Skill Hire's consistent pre-emptive coordination minimizes procedural latencies. Take the example of a participant transfer between host firms. In the background sits meticulous orchestration managing continuity - payroll adjustments so apprentice monthly earnings remain unaffected, insurance arrangements accommodating risks variations across different builder environments etc.

Trust the experience; reap rewards without headaches.

Long-Term Vision and Early Planning Keys

The broader intent driving public funding behind skilling subsidies focuses on sustainable workforce uplift. MBA members who proactively capitalize on GTO wage offsets today fortify in-house capabilities for the long run.

Consider the program’s return on investment beyond immediate cost savings. Nurtured right, apprentices transform into loyal trades teams retaining artisanal wisdom as business-specific IP — invaluable amidst shrinking industry knowhow. Early movers also influence training direction aligned to anticipated project trajectories.

Essentially, members lay the foundations of reliable trade pools securing organization futures while contributing socially towards market equilibrium. But the window to enroll subsidised apprentices requires decisive vision.

Touchbase with Skill Hire to map integrated strategies that balance costs with continuity. Join members already planning 2024/2025 workforce requirements leveraging available apprenticeship stimuli.

Other Employment and Training Support Services

Beyond GTO subsidies, Skill Hire provides well-rounded services bridging potential employment gaps. Temporary assignments allow builders to uptick workforce rapidly. Short-course certifications resample teams with evolving project needs. Workforce training guidance assists candidate readiness evaluation.

As WA construction majors drive large commitments toward renewable energy infrastructure, labor demands may outweigh supply even factoring subsidy incentives. Engage Skill Hire across integrated offerings optimizing flexibility and skills growth.

Next Steps for MBA Members

The GTO Wage Subsidy expansion empowers MBA members to assimilate trades competencies aiding business aims. To benefit, liaise with Skill Hire - outline organizational scenarios, project cycles, specialty niches. Their experts will gauge strengths eligible for subsidies, suggest training models and talent acquisition modes keeping continuity and efficiency central.

With milestones fast approaching – applications opening, placement claims – members stand to gain tremendously integrating workforce strategy with supportive policy. Lead proactively; contact Skill Hire today for growth blueprints harnessing opportunities through WA’s construction skills drive.

Reach out to MBA WA here...

...for more information on the Skill Hire MBA partnership, and set up an introduction to the Skill Hire team through submitting an enquiry on their site.

While we can of course be contacted directly, we'd like MBA members to access our services via the MBA website so we can make sure we can record the success of our partnership.