From NZ Herald · · 2m
Green Party promises to scrap apprentice training wage, offer $2000 equipment grants
Green Party proposes abolishing apprentice training wage and providing $2000 equipment grants.
In brief
Green Party proposes abolishing apprentice training wage and providing $2000 equipment grants. Green Party plans to scrap apprentice training wage and offer $2000 equipment grants to boost trades workforce. Originally reported by NZ Herald.
Green Party policy announcement
Green Party co-leaders Marama Davidson and Chloe Swarbrick announced plans to abolish the apprentice training wage if elected.
“The Green Party is proposing to abolish the training wage for apprentices if elected”
Current training wage rate
The training wage is set at $19.16, or 80% of the adult minimum wage of $23.95 an hour.
“The training wage is set at $19.16, or 80% of the adult minimum wage of $23.95 an hour”
Policy to abolish training wage
The Greens argue what they believe are inadequate pay and a lack of opportunities have driven apprentice numbers to a 15-year low.
“what they believe are inadequate pay and a lack of opportunities and support have driven apprentice numbers to a 15-year low”
Equipment grants for apprentices
The Greens propose a $2000 equipment grant for each apprenticeship to cover tools, uniforms and course materials.
“a $2000 equipment grant for each apprenticeship to cover tools, uniforms and course materials”
Māori and Pasifika support
The Greens would invest an additional $30 million annually in Māori and Pasifika-led training, including pastoral support and job matching.
“They would also invest an additional $30 million annually in Māori and Pasifika-led training, including pastoral support, job matching and first-job assistance”
Employer incentives
Employers who helped apprentices complete qualifications would receive a $2000 bonus for doing so.
“Employers who helped apprentices successfully complete their qualifications would receive a $2000 bonus for doing so”
Estimated annual cost
The Greens estimated the policy would cost $117.35m a year, with figures independently verified by Infometrics.
“The Greens estimated the policy would cost $117.35m a year, with the figures independently verified by Infometrics”
Apprentice completion rates
Māori and Pasifika apprentices have completion rates of 31% and 29% respectively.
“Māori and Pasifika apprentices have completion rates of 31% and 29% respectively”
Swarbrick on training wage barrier
Swarbrick said tradespeople consistently cite the training wage as the main barrier to completing apprenticeships.
“Swarbrick said tradespeople consistently cite the training wage as the main barrier to completing apprenticeships”
Swarbrick on pastoral care
Swarbrick described the training wage as 'a poor policy that has resulted in people dropping out'.
“Swarbrick said the training wage is 'a poor policy that has resulted in people dropping out'”
Māori and Pasifika support details
The Greens included pastoral care to help support people through training, particularly for Māori and Pasifika.
“That’s also why pastoral care is so important to help to support people through their training, and that’s why we’ve also included this boost particularly for Māori and Pasifika”
Student payments policy
The Greens proposed a universal $380-a-week payment for students completing compulsory practical placements in health and education roles.
“The Greens proposed a universal $380-a-week payment for students completing compulsory practical placements in health and education roles”
Student payments cost
The policy would cost $74m to $80m a year, administered by StudyLink and paid on top of student loans.
“That policy, estimated to cost $74m to $80m a year, would apply to courses including nursing, midwifery, medicine, teaching, social work, counselling, physiotherapy, dentistry and veterinary training”
Student payments relocation
Students required to relocate could claim $1500 towards moving costs.
“with students required to relocate also able to claim $1500 towards moving costs”
Act Party policy
The Act Party proposed lowering the training wage to 60% of the adult minimum wage for workers under 20.
“The Act Party released its own policy on the training wage last month, promising to lower it to 60% of the adult minimum wage for workers under 2.0 while freezing the adult minimum wage for three years if elected”
What to remember
Green Party plans to scrap apprentice training wage and offer $2000 equipment grants to boost trades workforce.
