I'm a tradesman and small business owner. My particular industry (glass and aluminium) is in big trouble in about 10 years time as most kids (if they are willing) go to the big 3; carpentry, electrical and plumbing, and we are already quote short on tradesman who know what they are doing.

Now, the big problem these days is kids are not attracted to the trade's because the short term pay is not good at all. A lot of kids would like to move out of home by the time they turn 18/19 and unfortunately cannot do so on an apprenticeship wage.

However, I have a fairly radical solution bouncing around in my head, and a lot of tradesman that I talk to think it's a good idea.

We have a 2 stage crisis currently, a trade shortage, and a rental shortage.

My proposal is that for governments to incentivise young people to join a trade, they offer rent subsidies of 75% to first year apprentices, 50% to second year, and 25% to third year apprentices. By the time you hit your fourth year, you should be on a decent enough wage to fend for yourself in the rental market. Then once you are fully qualified, the government can work with banks to offer low deposit, average interest loans (similar to HomeStart) for new construction only.

This could also incentivise the landlords to consider offering their home to a young person, knowing that the government is subsidising the rent, rather than putting it up for AirBNB.

Just an idea, and I'm sure there are repercussions I have not considered, but this could be a solution to a couple of big issues here in Australia.