Western Sydney’s landmark construction projects, including Badgerys Creek airport and WestConnex motorway, will be used to create at least 1000 apprenticeships.

Premier Mike Baird announced the initiative last night at The Daily Telegraph’s Fair Go for the West celebration dinner, which was attended by Prime Minister Tony Abbott and a star-studded line-up of Sydney celebrities, including Laura Dundovic.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Laura Dundovic / Picture Craig Greenhill Source: News Corp Australia

The Baird government will ­demand companies vying for contracts relating to its $60 billion infrastructure program employ a specific number of new apprentices.

“Hundreds of kids will have the opportunity to learn their trade on the largest projects to be undertaken in the country,’’ he said.

Companies tendering for work would also be asked to “spell out how they will leave a lasting skills dividend for local communities, through apprenticeships”.

“They will be assessed on the number of apprenticeships they are prepared to create during construction, through the partnerships they forge with local TAFE and other tertiary institutions,’’ Mr Baird said.

Daily Telegraph deputy editor Ben English and Premier Mike Baird / Picture: Craig Greenhill Source:News Corp Australia

“It will be a boon for apprentices everywhere, but especially in Western Sydney, which is the infrastructure engine room of the state.’’

Some Western Sydney suburbs are in the grip of a youth unemployment crisis, with at least a quarter of young people in Blacktown and Parramatta expected to be unemployed within two years unless jobs are created.

The Premier said he was “confident” the plan would create at least 1000 new apprenticeship positions over the next four years.

The state government is expected to let contracts for road and rail construction around Western Sydney’s international airport worth about $6.5 billion.

Mr Baird said he had shaped his policy after being “particularly ­inspired” by two young apprentices who spoke at a recent youth forum staged by The Daily Telegraph at the University of Western Sydney.

The apprentices, Michelle Sinai of Seven Hills and Gene Clark of Schofields, yesterday said many young Western Sydney people were desperate for work.

NSW Business Chamber chief executive Stephen Cartwright said it was critical the government ensured “tradies are not just parachuted in from other states”. “You are entitled to say ‘let’s make sure we help young people who have been disenfranchised’,’’ he said.

Michelle Sinai, apprentice motor mechanic at Trivet Honda in Parramatta / Picture: Gregg PorteousSource: News Corp Australia

Source: The Daily Telegraph by John Lehmann and Andrew Clennell. Original article.