Crisafulli Government backs apprentices across the State

• Crisafulli Government is backing apprenticeships during National Apprenticeship Week 2026.
• Launching the Apprenticeships Deliver campaign to promote skills, jobs and workforce participation.
• Tens of thousands of Queenslanders currently undertaking apprenticeships and traineeships.
• The Crisafulli Government is delivering a plan for Queensland’s future after a decade of decline under Labor. 

The Crisafulli Government is backing apprentices and employers during National Apprenticeship Week, reinforcing the importance of practical skills and job-ready training in building Queensland’s workforce. 

Apprenticeships Deliver is a statewide advertising and communications campaign promoting apprenticeships to jobseekers and employers, bringing together the Crisafulli Government’s support under a single message focused on skills that lead directly to jobs. 

It’s just one of the ways the Crisafulli Government is delivering a plan for Queensland’s future and a better lifestyle through a stronger economy. 

After a decade of decline under Labor where the former Government talked up skills but failed to keep pace with workforce demand, the Crisafulli Government is focused on practical training that leads directly to employment. 

Across Queensland, tens of thousands of apprentices and trainees are earning while they learn, supporting essential sectors including construction, manufacturing, automotive and community services. 

National Apprenticeship Week runs from 9 to 15 February and is delivered nationally by MIGAS Apprentices and Trainees.  

The Crisafulli Government supports the initiative as part of its broader focus on strengthening skills, supporting employers and increasing workforce participation and is delivering:  

• $40 million in 2025-26 to train the tradies of tomorrow, bringing total investment to $270 million. 

• $19 million for the Small Business Apprenticeship Pilot Program to support small and family construction businesses with apprentice wage costs. 

• $201 million for four new TAFE Centres of Excellence in priority industries including construction and manufacturing. 

• Free Apprenticeships for Under 25s across 130 priority qualifications, with more than 16,100 places taken up in 2024-2025. 

Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training Ros Bates said National Apprenticeship Week was an opportunity to recognise the value of skills, hard work and job-ready training. 

“National Apprenticeship Week is about recognising apprentices who are earning while they learn and building the workforce Queensland relies on,” Minister Bates said. 

“Apprenticeships deliver real skills, real work and real wages, and that is why we are backing them. 

“For too long under the former Labor Government there was plenty of talk about skills but not enough focus on outcomes.” 

Minister for Small and Family Business Steven Minnikin said the Small Business Apprenticeship Pilot Program would help construction businesses train and retain apprentices by providing wage subsides during off-site training.