The choice at this year's election is 'between building our future here - or watching it built somewhere else,' Labour's Chris Hipkins says

Labour says, if elected to government in November's election, it will expand Apprenticeship Boost to two full years, extend it to more trades and introduce new grants and mentoring to help more people finish their apprentice training.

“Too many young New Zealanders are struggling to find good jobs while our country faces growing skills shortages,” Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said on Sunday. “Labour is committed to helping New Zealanders find good jobs and build the workforce of the future. That’s exactly what this policy delivers.”

Hipkins announced the policy in front of the party faithful, at their annual congress, saying: "National’s decision to cut, pause, delay or cancel projects has contributed to 20,000 jobs being lost in the construction industry since the last election."

"And many of those skilled workers have left the country. We urgently need to get Kiwis back to work. And to give our young people the chance to get into it."

Hipkins said Labour would fund the support and mentoring that helps people stay the course and finish their apprenticeships.

"Because every young New Zealander deserves a genuine choice to build their future here."

Asked by reporters after his speech why the Apprentice Boost announcement was the party’s headline policy at its congress, Hipkins said Labour was the party of workers.

"Apprenticeships are a really important way of how we get people into the trades. We see huge career opportunities for young New Zealanders moving into the trades, and we're really proud of what we achieved in government in that area. [There were] record numbers of people in apprenticeships, and we want to get apprenticeships growing again."

He said the expansion to the Apprentice Boost would be paid for out of future budget allowances.

‘We choose our future’

"In just 137 days, we go to the polls and we choose our future," Hipkins told the audience.

“We can choose better jobs, affordable healthcare, and household bills you can finally pay - a government that backs you to build your future here.”

“Or we can choose more of the same: more broken promises, more cuts, higher costs."

“We can choose a future where working hard actually means getting ahead," said Hipkins.

“Or a government that’s told our young people their best opportunities are overseas,” Hipkins said. “We can choose more secure work, better pay, and real help to ease the pressure."

“Or a Prime Minister who has given up on the major thing he promised to fix - the cost of living.”

“Above all, we can choose to stand together, to chart a new path that recognises the contributions everyone can make, and that rewards hard work. A government that backs every New Zealander to succeed,” Hipkins said.

"Christopher Luxon and his National Government are out of touch, and out of time."

The Kiwi dream

Hipkins said the choice people faced this year was not just between Labour and National.

“It is a choice between building our future here - or watching it built somewhere else.”

He said Labour had a "practical, funded plan" ready to start the day after the election.

"I won't pretend we can fix it all straight away. We'll focus on what matters most, and we'll deliver it."

Hipkins says the Kiwi dream has always been simple and powerful, “if you work hard, you can build a decent life.”

“A warm home. A secure job. Good schools for your kids. Healthcare when you need it,” he said.

“Under Labour, that dream won’t be reserved for a few, it will be delivered for everyone.”