No Images? Click here PRIORITY START The State Government’s Priority Start Policy took effect from April 1. It aims to increase the number of apprentices and trainees in the building and construction sector. This policy applies to all construction and maintenance tenders released after April 1, 2019 where the State Government awards a contract valued over $5million (incl GST) to a company. The policy will require companies to meet a training target rate across the combined construction trade workforce (company and subcontractors) used under the contract. This affects anyone who:
Where a party reports under the Government Building Training Policy, then there’s the option to transition to the new policy once the 2018-19 obligations have been fulfilled. How to calculate the target training rate The target is based on percentage of all construction trade workers who are apprentices or trainees across the combined West Australian construction trades workforce (head contractors and subcontractors used for the contract that have in-scope construction trade workers). The training rates are:
Construction apprentices and trainees count if they are:
To be deemed compliant with the policy, a head contractor must:
Exemptions Exemptions exist but must be applied for in advance. Exemptions may be requested where a significant proportion of the work is undertaken in a regional and/or remote location or where there is a high-risk industry or where there is limited or no construction work undertaken during part of the stage or year. The report template is available here. For further advice or support please contact Legal Director Marianne Rose on 9476 9800 or marianne@mbawa.com.
Marianne Rose Master Builders WA |