The union which represents local government workers welcomes the Minns government's commitment today to inject $252 million into the state's 128 local councils to employ 1,300 apprentices and trainees to fill gaping skills shortages.
The next generation of mechanics, engineers, early childhood educators, plumbers, civil construction workers, and planning cadets will begin work early next year across the state thanks to the announcement.
Councils are experiencing declining workforce numbers with a large portion of experienced professionals who have worked in local government for decades due to retire within the next five years.
Many trainees and apprentices who start their career at councils under this funding boost will go on to work in local industry building the new housing and infrastructure across NSW which is currently threatened by the nationwide tradie shortage.
United Services Union General Secretary Graeme Kelly OAM says the $252 million funding boost is desperately needed.
"Over 1000 young people across NSW will soon start their first job thanks to this scheme, and in the bush that's especially valuable as it means they'll stay put rather than move to our swollen cities looking for work or training opportunities," said Mr Kelly.
"You can't have 'rhyme time' at the local library, or a nice clean pool to swim in in summer or freshly mowed ovals on the weekend unless you have highly skilled, hard-working council workers providing these front line services seven days a week.
"The Minns government didn't create this skills crisis, but they've rolled up their sleeves and fixed it.
"The previous government wasn't listening when councils from Armidale to Albury were crying out about skills shortages and their aging workforce, to their credit Chris Minns and Ron Hoenig have heard them and taken decisive action," said Mr Kelly.
