Thousands of construction workers to get free qualifications under new national program
The Albanese Labor Government will help up to 6,000 experienced trade workers get free, nationally recognised qualifications that strengthen the workforce building the homes and infrastructure Australia needs – and it all starts with New South Wales. The Government is investing $78 million over three years to establish the Advanced Entry Trades Training (AETT) program, with enrolments expected to open from late 2026.
The program will roll out nationally, with New South Wales one of the first states to sign onto the program. AETT is modelled on the successful New South Wales Trade Pathways for Experienced Workers program, which has seen more than 1,900 students gain their trade qualification faster. Experienced workers in residential housing and civil construction, such as labourers, trades assistants and plant operators will now have a free, faster pathway to formal vocational education and training (VET) qualifications.
The program will build on workers’ on-the-job skills, providing them with opportunities for career progression, mobility and pathways to further training. Recognition of prior learning (RPL) will be used to assess the skills, knowledge and experience gained on the job, with gap training then provided to help workers complete a qualification in areas such as carpentry, rigging, crane operations, tiling, surveying, construction design and site management.
TAFEs and other high-quality Registered Training Organisations will deliver the required training and assessments, which can fast track the time needed to complete qualifications to a matter of months rather than years. The AETT will be open to Australian workers with at least three years of experience and run until 30 June 2028. National program settings have been subject to consultation with state and territory governments, Jobs and Skills Australia, Jobs and Skills Councils, unions and industry representatives.
The program is one of the ways the Albanese Government is tackling construction skills shortages, complementing initiatives including Free TAFE, the Key Apprenticeship Program, and the Building Women’s Careers program. Quotes attributable to Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles: “Today, we’re kickstarting the commitment we made to establish the Advanced Entry Trades Training Program, and back in workers who have the right skills for the job, but need that extra help to get the formal qualification they need.
“This program recognises the expertise they’ve already developed and helps them gain nationally recognised qualifications faster. “For a long time industry and skills stakeholders have called for greater recognition of existing skills and alternative pathways to formal trade qualifications – our Government has listened and is taking action.” Quotes attributable to NSW Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan: “I couldn’t be prouder to see New South Wales once again leading the country in tackling skills shortages, and supporting more people to get the qualifications that match their skills.
“Our Trade Pathways for Experienced Workers program has shown that this approach works – it delivers real support to workers and gets more people playing a part in building the homes and infrastructure we need. “The Minns Labor Government is pleased to now be partnering with the Albanese Government to roll out even more of these opportunities.”