Initiatives announced to support Western Australia's skilled worker needs

Premier Mark McGowan has announced a range of immediate initiatives to support Western Australia's skilled worker needs and confirmed the rescheduled Skills Summit will take place on Friday, July 30. The event was postponed late last month due to WA's four-day circuit breaker COVD-19 lockdown. Initiatives include:

• $5.2 million incentive for businesses to employ 200 new mature age apprentices
• $4 million for 12-month extension to Apprentice and Traineeship Re-engagement Incentive
• Pathways to attract onshore skilled migrants and interstate workers expanded
• New partnership to grow tourism and hospitality workforce
• Rents frozen on public sector housing in regional WA, supporting worker retention
• Western Australia's Skills Summit rescheduled to Friday, July 30, 2021 

Premier McGowan also officially announced FutureNow's partnership with Tourism WA to develop career programs for high-school students to highlight the vibrant career opportunities in tourism and hospitality. The program will include interactive demonstrations at the Skills West Careers Expo and a 'chef ambassador' program targeting students and teachers looking to upskill, and demonstrating the exciting and demanding career of a qualified chef.

Read Premier McGowan's full media statement