And Sean Hay, 33, is one hopeful tradie who is feeling “defeated” after not being able to gain an apprenticeship.

Mr Hay has dreamed of taking on an electrical trade but has never been in the financial position to do so, he moved to Albury from Brisbane to save money and make that dream a reality as working in logistics and customer service no longer satisfied him.

“I’ve sent emails to various businesses and recruitment agencies and I don’t even get a rejection,” he said.

“I’ve had no problems finding other work but I have not had one nibble on my apprenticeship applications.”

Mr Hay said if he could not gain an electrical trade he would consider plumbing or carpentry, all of which were on a skills shortage list on the Australian Apprenticeships website.

He believed there was a stigmatism with mature-age apprentices.

“A lot have the life skills and maturity to carry an apprenticeship to the finish,” he said.

Apprentices Trainees Employment Limited Albury-Wodonga regional manager Tony Trevaskis said employers could be hesitant to take on mature-age apprentices because it was costly.

“If the business’ award has adult apprentice rates then they get paid more than a first-year out of school and it comes down to whether the employer can afford to put them on,” he said.

However, apprentices and employers can be eligible for incentives, and if the mature-age apprentice earns more than $33,326, their employer may be given $4000 after the first year.

If the apprentice is being paid less than minimum wage, they will get an extra $150 a week for the first year and $100 for the second year.

Kdec Data and Electrical have recently hired a 29-year-old apprentice and director Chelsey Walker said the incentives weren’t a factor and hired older people for their work ethic and life experience.

“Overall it is a great benefit to us,” she said.

“They are fast learners and know it’s what they want to do.”