Thousands of aspiring tradies will be able to sign up for free apprenticeships under a NSW government plan to make the state the "tradie and jobs capital" of Australia.
The $285 million plan, to be detailed in Tuesday's state budget, will fund 100,000 apprenticeships over the next four years and will be on offer in any course at TAFE and non-TAFE providers.
NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro says the program will remove barriers for those considering an apprenticeship.
"We want to get rid of the final obstacle we believe is an impediment," Mr Barilaro told reporters in Sydney on Monday.
"This, I hope, will turbocharge how many people will look at becoming a tradie going forward."
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NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian predicts TAFE enrolments will increase "substantially".
The investment has been welcomed by the NSW Business Chamber which believes it will also help businesses take on new staff.
Chief executive Stephen Cartwright hopes it will improve the skills gap especially prevalent in regional NSW.
"Getting young Australians into an apprenticeship and building a quality workforce is fundamental to future economic and social prosperity," he said in a statement on Monday.
But NSW opposition leader Luke Foley says the announcement should come with an apology because the coalition previously slashed TAFE jobs and increased fees.
"Their policy is akin to burning down someone's house and then telling them you will build them a shed," Mr Foley told reporters in Sydney on Monday.
"You might be grateful for the shed but you're going to be pretty angry they burnt down your house in the first place."
The 100,000 free apprenticeships will be on offer from July 1.
