ABC

The State Government has announced new incentives to increase apprentice numbers, following a sharp decline.

From next year, construction industry employers will receive up to $2,000 extra for apprentices who complete their training.

James Pearson from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry says there is an urgent need to plan for the state's work force of the future.

"A big project like Gorgon and some of the other big resources projects that we know of that are in the pipeline, they'll have a significant effect in drawing in labour, skilled and semi skilled and that's going to have serious implications for other businesses in West Australia who have to compete," he said

Apprentice numbers have slumped by 40 per cent this year.