Apprentice electricians visit Canberra to campaign for fair wages
Apprentice electricians are visiting Parliament House as part of their campaign to increase apprentice electrician wages, which can be as low as $225 per week for a first-year apprentice.
Along with Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union (CEPU) Assistant Secretary Allen Hicks, apprentice electrician Stuart Butterworth will meet with Skills Minister Chris Evans to discuss the issue. Butterworth commenced his apprenticeship when in his late 30s and received a wage of $17,000 as a first-year apprentice.
The CEPU and apprentices are arguing that “low wages are discouraging people from becoming electrical apprentices and greatly exacerbating the skills shortage”. The CEPU launched the campaign to increase apprentice wages in March.
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