New laws to require major projects to hire Victorian apprentices

Sydney Morning Herald
November 28 2017

   

Major projects will have to hire Victorian workers starting out in their careers under new laws to be introduced to parliament next year.   

Projects valued at more than $20 million will be required to use local apprentices, trainees or engineering cadets for at least 10 per cent of the total labour hours.

Premier Daniel Andrews will introduce the new laws to parliament next year.

As part of the new policy, announced by the state government on Tuesday, major projects will also have to source local uniforms and safety equipment such as hard hats and goggles rather than using imported products.

The policy will apply to a range of projects, including hospitals and roads. The government is also creating the position of Victorian Local Jobs First Commissioner, which will monitor compliance with the new laws and ensure local content targets are being met.

Premier Daniel Andrews said the new policy was about making things fairer for Victorian workers and businesses.   

"We're building Victorian, employing Victorian – and with our commitment to locally made uniforms, we'll be buying Victorian too," he said.

The government said it had announced 80 projects with local content requirements since it was elected in 2014. The local content targets already in place include using 100 per cent local steel on its level crossing removals.