The National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) has hailed the Tasmanian Government’s 2017-18 Budget announcement of payroll tax relief for the employment of apprentices and trainees aged 15-24 years as clever and instrumental to helping deliver skilled electrical apprentices.

This year’s Budget, delivered by Treasurer Peter Gutwein, includes $17.1 million of funding to introduce a payroll tax rebate for two years from 1 July 2017 for employers of eligible trainees and apprentices and for 12 months for eligible young people aged between 15 and 24 years from 1 July 2017.

In addition, the Tasmanian Government has also committed an additional $2 million over two years for a small business grants pilot program to deliver support for small business to employ more apprentices and trainees. Small Businesses will receive incentive payments of up to $4 000 per apprentice or trainee upon successful completion of major milestones within the first two years of their training.

“NECA welcomes the initiatives announced in this year’s budget. We believe that payroll tax relief and the small business pilot program are clever and instrumental initiatives that help pave the way for a greater number of skilled apprentices,” said NECA’s Chief Executive Officer, Suresh Manickam.

“NECA has long called for Governments around Australia to recognise the importance of payroll tax relief and the critical need for incentives to hire more apprentices.”

“These two initiatives are simple, yet clear and effective means to help arrest the ongoing decline in apprenticeship commencements and completions and we are proud to say that our conversations with the Tasmanian Government and its Minister for Building and Construction, Guy Barnett MLA, have been positive for the electrical contracting sector,” Mr Manickam said.

“Electrical Contracting enterprises comprise a large portion of the Tasmanian economic engine room and we believe the provision of incentives for our industry to employ more apprentices will be keenly welcomed.”

-ENDS-

Media enquiries and interviews

Barry Jackson – National Marketing and Communications

E barry.jackson@neca.asn.au

D 02 9962 6904

M 0457 767 328

Policy enquiries

Andrew Jefferies – Policy and Projects

E andrew.jefferies@neca.asn.au

D 02 9439 8523

Notes for editors

1. NECA is the peak industry body representing the interests of electrical and communications contractors Australia-wide.
2. NECA is run by electrical contractors, for electrical contractors.
3. We have 5,000 contracting companies as members – and they in turn employ over 50,000 people Australia-wide.
4. NECA employs almost 350 people across its seven chapters (Queensland, New South Wales, ACT, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia).
5. The chapters provide NECA members with a range of services including: Industrial Relations, Health & Safety, Legal, Technical, Training, business-support services, product discounts and advocacy representation in Canberra with Government, Industry bodies and Training bodies.
6. NECA wholly-owns its RTOs and GTOs in NSW, VIC & WA, the EcoSmart Electricians initiative and ACRS – one of the national cabling registrars, and has a joint venture with a superannuation company in NSW (NESS Super).
7. NECA also employ around 2,000 apprentice electricians and provides training to a further 2,000.
8. For further information go to www.neca.asn.au.