The Government's trade training programme has taken on 12,000 apprentices, but the construction industry is still facing a major shortage of workers.
It means Building and Construction Minister Jenny Salesa is now looking at other ways to get more apprenticeships – even paying employers more to take people on.
"Only about 10 per cent of employers and industry at the moment take on apprentices to train and that's not enough when we have such a huge shortage in skills," Ms Salesa said.
Paul Eaton has taken on four apprentices in two years and says there are positives from the experience.
"We're finding with the skills shortage, the huge skills shortage, you just can’t employ qualified people any more so you're better to get a young person who has a good attitude and really willing to learn and work hard," Mr Eaton says.
The construction industry is short of 30,000 skilled employees and in 18 months' time, that's expected to hit 50,000.
Nationwide, there's 46,000 in training but with courses taking three years, some won't be ready until mid-2021.
On Thursday, Ms Salesa said the Government will put forward another initiative to get more businesses interested.
"We're willing to partner with as many employers and industries who are willing to partner with us."
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