An apprentice tradie from Western Australia has sparked a heated debate about apprentice wages and the rising cost of living.
Lachlan Sgarlata, 19, shared his frustrations on social media on Thursday after a long day working as a labourer in Kwinana Beach, south of Perth.
Covered in sweat and wearing a dirty high-visibility shirt, Mr Sgarlata explained that he was encouraged to become a tradie due to the perception that they ‘make a lot of money’.
‘Tradies work their f***ing asses off, it’s 42C, 10-hour days,’ Mr Sgarlata said.
‘For what? Look at the housing prices right now. How are we meant to buy a house right now when they’re at least a million f***ing dollars.’
He said his apprentice wage is ‘nowhere near enough’ when going out on the weekend alone costs $200 because a ‘beer is $15’.
‘How are we meant to live?’
The average home price in Kwinana where Sgarlata lives is $532,133. It would take a minimum wage earner on $47,622 15 years to save up for a 20 per cent deposit.
Lachlan Sgarlata, covered in sweat and wearing a dirty high-vis shirt, vented about his struggles as a 19-year-old apprentice in Kwinana Beach, and reflected on the long hours and low pay in the trade
However, many young apprentices earn below the minimum wage during their training period, with some receiving hourly rates as low as $14.62.
For instance, first-year electrical apprentices under the age of 21 typically earn between $28,892 and $31,668 per year.
Qualified tradespeople were quick to challenge Mr Sgarlata, and explained that an apprenticeship is similar to being paid to study.
They assured him that once he becomes qualified, the hard work will eventually pay off.
‘You’re being paid to learn, that’s why you’re on stuff all money,’ one said.
‘When you’re 10 years in and there’s a skilled labour shortage, that’s when the payoff hits.’
‘When doing your apprenticeship you have to look at it like being paid to study,’ a second wrote.
‘You need to do the four years of hard work and labour to earn your stripes.’
Mr Sgarlata questioned how young tradies could afford to buy a home in today’s market, with housing prices soaring while wages remain low
Others said Mr Sgarlata’s comments were reflective of a new generation of apprentices coming onto sites without a hard-working attitude.
‘It’s called sacrifice brother, today’s generation want to start at the top that’s the issue,’ one said.
‘Don’t go out and save your money if you want a house, what do you think the previous generations have done?’ a second asked.
A third added: ‘Whilst I agree with what you’re saying, not going out for beers and blowing $200 is a good step towards a house.’
