Labour will support more tradies and young people into work and to gain a qualification, so they can earn more.
- Employer payments extended from one year to two years at $500 a month, effective 1 July 2028
- $1,000 toolbox grant to help new apprentices cover the cost of getting started, including tools, kit, uniform, and course materials, available from 1 July 2027
- Eligibility expanded to five new trades - road construction, water and sanitary engineering, personal services, sales and marketing, and sports and recreation - from 1 July 2027
- Structured mentoring piloted from 1 July 2027 via Industry Skills Boards and providers, supporting both apprentices and employers, starting with those most in need
- Average cost of $56.5 million a year over four years, fully paid for
Why is this important?
Too many New Zealanders feel their only option is to go overseas for work they can't find at home, and youth unemployment keeps climbing. It doesn't have to be this way.
Expanding Apprenticeship Boost helps more tradies and young people earn while they learn, building secure, well-paid careers right here at home.
Christopher Luxon's cuts, pauses and delays to major projects have cost the construction industry 20,000 jobs in three years. Building the homes, roads, schools and hospitals New Zealand needs means planning ahead, giving businesses certainty, and training the people who'll build them - and expanding Apprenticeship Boost is a practical step to make it happen.
What will businesses get?
$500 a month to help cover the cost of taking on an apprentice and supporting their development.
What will apprentices get?
A $1,000 toolbox grant to cover the cost of getting started, plus mentoring and extra support to help them stay the course to full qualification.
Which trades are covered?
Any accredited apprenticeship programme, including five new areas - road construction, water and sanitary engineering, personal services, sales and marketing, and sports and recreation.
How much will it cost?
As more people benefit, the investment in Apprenticeship Boost will increase steadily over time, starting at $21 million in 2027/28, increasing to $71.5 million in 2030/31, averaging at around $56.5 million a year over four years.
When will it start?
New trade eligibility, the mentoring pilot and the $1,000 toolbox grant all begin 1 July 2027. The extension to two years of employer support starts 1 July 2028.
Backing tradies and young people to gain a qualification keeps our people and their skills here in New Zealand.
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