A new $19 million pilot program has been announced to help small and family-owned construction businesses in Queensland train and retain apprentices.
Under the scheme, eligible employers will receive a 50 per cent subsidy for first- and second-year apprentices and a 25 per cent subsidy in the third and fourth years when apprentices attend up to eight weeks of off-site training each year.
The program will support up to 2,000 apprentices who start from 1 July 2025. Subsidy amounts reach up to $10,060 over four years for apprentices under 21, and up to $13,740 for those aged 21 and over.
While there is currently no nationally recognised fencing apprenticeship, this funding applies to other trade apprenticeships such as carpentry, construction, and related fields. It highlights the growing recognition of trade-based careers, including fencing and gates, in strengthening Australia’s construction workforce.
