Up to 6,000 experienced construction workers will be able to gain free, nationally recognised trade qualifications under a new program starting in NSW.
The Federal Government is investing $78 million over three years to establish the Advanced Entry Trades Training program, with enrolments expected to open from late 2026.
The program will roll out nationally, with NSW one of the first states to sign on.
It is modelled on the successful NSW Trade Pathways for Experienced Workers program, which has helped more than 1,900 students gain their trade qualification faster.
Experienced workers in residential housing and civil construction, such as labourers, trades assistants and plant operators, will have a free, faster pathway to formal vocational education and training qualifications.
Recognition of prior learning will be used to assess the skills, knowledge and experience workers have gained on the job, with gap training then provided to help them complete a qualification in areas such as carpentry, rigging, crane operations, tiling, surveying, construction design and site management.
TAFEs and other Registered Training Organisations will deliver the training and assessments, which can fast track the time needed to complete qualifications to a matter of months rather than years.
The program will be open to workers with at least three years of experience and will run until 30 June 2028.
Federal Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles said the program recognised the expertise workers had already developed.
“Today, we’re kickstarting the commitment we made to establish the Advanced Entry Trades Training Program, and back in workers who have the right skills for the job, but need that extra help to get the formal qualification they need,” Mr Giles said.
“For a long time industry and skills stakeholders have called for greater recognition of existing skills and alternative pathways to formal trade qualifications, our Government has listened and is taking action.”
NSW Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan said the state was again leading the country in tackling skills shortages.
“Our Trade Pathways for Experienced Workers program has shown that this approach works, it delivers real support to workers and gets more people playing a part in building the homes and infrastructure we need,” Mr Whan said.
“The Minns Labor Government is pleased to now be partnering with the Albanese Government to roll out even more of these opportunities.”
The program is one of several measures aimed at tackling construction skills shortages, alongside Free TAFE, the Key Apprenticeship Program and the Building Women’s Careers program.
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