What is the Civil Construction Pilot Program?
A $5.996 million dollar program designed to address the wage-gap issue created by the transition of nine existing traineeships in the civil construction industry to apprenticeships.
As the award rate for a junior apprentice (under 21) is lower than the award rate for a trainee, wage-gap funding is available to employers of civil construction apprentices to offset the difference in the minimum award wages between junior trainees and apprentices.
CTF will also fund the wage gap between the trainee and the apprentice award rate for 50 mature-age civil construction apprenticeships.
The program will run over a four-year period and include a requirement for civil apprentices to attend an induction session facilitated by CTF’s Industry Training Advisors. CTF will contact all eligible employers and apprentices to arrange their induction date and time.
More broadly, the program will increase the quality of training in civil construction and create robust career pathways into the industry, ensuring a supply of qualified apprentices both junior and mature age. This is just one way that CTF provides financial support for apprentices in construction.
Background
The Minister for Education & Training, Sue Ellery, endorsed the Establishment and Variation (EVAC) processes in September 2021, which facilitated the change from existing civil construction traineeships to an apprenticeship model of learning.
Following Ministerial approval, CTF worked with the Department of Training and Workforce Development (DTWD), the Civil Contractors Federation WA (CCF WA) and the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) to build a program that would assist the civil construction industry in improving the quality of training.
The program aims to ensure a steady flow of apprentices into State Government and private sector civil infrastructure projects over the next four years by subsidising Junior apprenticeship wages so they remain the same as the previous traineeship wages.
The existing base grant offered to employers who hire an apprentice has been increased from $8,000 to $10,000. The Employer Support Grant is intended to subsidise the costs incurred by the employment and training of an apprentice during the term of the training contract.
Impacted Qualifications
Table 1: Qualifications available under the CCPP:
| Qualification | Apprenticeship Name | Apprenticeship Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate III in Trenchless Technology | Trenchless Technology (Level 3) | 36 Months |
| Cert III in Civil Construction Plant Operations | Plant Operations (Level 3) | 36 Months |
| Certificate III in Civil Construction | Bituminous Surfacing (Level 3) | 36 Months |
| Bridge Construction and Maintenance (Level 3) | ||
| Civil Construction (Level 3) | ||
| Pipelaying (Level 3) | ||
| Road Construction and Maintenance (Level 3) | ||
| Road Marking (Level 3) | ||
| Tunnel Construction (Level 3) |
Employer Support Grant
An increased base grant is available to all eligible employers as outlined in the Levy and Disbursements guide.
Wage-Gap Program
Junior Wage Gap Subsidy (under 21 years at commencement)
Eligible employers can receive a wage-gap subsidy from CTF if their apprentice commenced in one of the new apprenticeships (see Table 1) or transitioned from a traineeship to the apprenticeship on or after 3 September 2021.
Mature Age Wage Gap Subsidy (over 21 years at commencement)
There are a limited number of places available to direct indenture employers with apprentices over the age of 21 at commencement who are enrolled in the qualifications outlined in Table 1 above.
Process - Wage Gap Subsidy
Junior (Under 21) Age Wage Gap Subsidy
- Eligible employers/GTO will be contacted prior to payment requesting eligibility documentation.
- Upon authorisation, employers/GTOs will receive payment.
Mature (Over 21) Age Wage Gap Subsidy (Spaces are now full)
- The MAWG program has limited places. To apply, an employer must complete an application form.
- Employers will be emailed to inform them of their acceptance into the program.
- Employers will be contacted prior to payment requesting eligibility documentation.
- Upon authorisation, employers will receive payment.
Process - Employer Support Grant
- Please go to www.ctf.wa.gov.au to submit claim via CTF Portal
- Ensure you have all supporting documentation before commencing claim as outlined in the Levy and Disbursements guide
Trainees converting to an Apprenticeship*/New Apprentices
- Employers/GTOs will be contacted requesting eligibility documentation prior to an Employer Support Grant payment.
- Upon authorisation, employers/GTOs will receive payment.
* Payments to Employers/GTOs of trainees converting to an apprenticeship may be adjusted depending on previous funding received.
Apprenticeship Office FAQ’s
Get more information about Civil Construction Pilot Program, or view the FAQ below.
- 6 months after commencement of apprenticeship
- Once 50% of the apprenticeship has been completed
- Upon completion of apprenticeship
Civil Construction Pilot Program
I am an employer; how often will I receive the wage gap subsidy?+
The CTF wage gap subsidy will be paid to eligible employers on a quarterly basis.
I am an employer; when will I receive my increased base grant amount?+
For new apprentices commencing after 3 September 2021, eligible employers will receive the increased instalments in accordance with the existing payment schedule:
If the apprentice has transferred from a traineeship to an apprenticeship as per Table 1, eligible employers will receive the increased grant when the next instalment is due, this will be paid pro-rata.
Eligible employers should take into account extended contract lengths (from 24 months to 36 months) when calculating this timeframe.
What additional requirements are there for employers participating in the CCPP? +
Eligible employers are required to ensure apprentices attend a mandatory induction session, which will be conducted by CTF. Eligible employers will receive details regarding the induction from CTF.
Eligible employers must also complete an employer satisfaction survey which will be distributed by CTF. The survey will highlight the views of employers on the new apprenticeship program and its training outcomes.
I am completing my apprenticeship in a regional area; will I be required to travel to CTF in order to attend the mandatory induction?+
No, there will be provisions made for those who work in regional areas to attend the induction online. CTF will contact all eligible employers with apprentices in regional areas to arrange mandatory inductions.
Can I still choose to complete a traineeship?+
Only trainees who commenced their training contract prior to 3 September 2021 can continue with their training contract under the existing traineeship arrangements. All other students who register for a course stated in Table 1 after 3 September 2021 will complete an apprenticeship.
Who can I contact for further information?+
If you are an employer and would like more information about CTF’s grant arrangements and/or employer obligations under the new apprenticeships; please call 08 9244 0100 or email info@ctf.wa.gov.au.
If you are an existing trainee or would like to commence an apprenticeship; please contact Apprenticeship Office on 13 19 54 or at apprenticeshipoffice@dtwd.wa.gov.au.
If you are an employer and would like to discuss a training contract; please contact Apprenticeship Office on 13 19 54 or at apprenticeshipoffice@dtwd.wa.gov.au.
If you are an employer and would like more information about the Jobs and Skills WA Employer Incentive; please call 13 19 54 or email employerincentive@dtwd.wa.gov.au.
If you are an employer and would like more information about the civil construction industry; please call the Civil Contractors Federation WA on 08 9414 1486 or email ccfwa@ccfwa.com.au.
If you are an RTO and would like more information about the Department’s Apprenticeships Preferred Provider Panel; please contact the Training Markets team via email to training.markets@dtwd.wa.gov.au.
If you are an AASN and would like more information about the new apprenticeships; please contact Apprenticeship Office on 13 19 54 or email apprenticeshipoffice@dtwd.wa.gov.au.
If you are an employee or employer and would like further information about your rights and obligations; please contact the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union on 08 9228 6900 or email queries@cfmeu.org
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