Aussie Rules' Kevin Sheedy backs Kickstart initiative

Former Aussie Rules player and current Greater Western Sydney Giants coach, Kevin Sheedy, is encouraging employers to sign up to the federal government's Kickstart program, which will help boost apprentice numbers in the building and construction industry.

The program is expected to help support up to 21,000 apprentices in the construction industry come the end of February this year.

Small to medium business owners who take on a new apprentice, have triple the incentive paid in the first year as a part of the Kickstart initiative.

Mr Sheedy, a former plumber, said the multi-million dollar Apprentice Kickstart program would have helped create opportunities when he was a tradie.

"If you want to be an apprentice in the construction industry why don’t you take this as an opportunity to talk to employers in your local area," Mr Sheedy said.

"Taking on an apprentice or a trainee allows you to train your future workforce to your standards, how you want the job done. And that’s got to be good for business."

Chief executive officer of the Master Builders Australia, Wilhelm Harnisch, said that this comes at a good time with school wrapped up for the year.

"This initiative will help give jobs to a new generation of building workers and shows that the government puts a high value on the building and construction sector," Mr Harnish said.