The changes to the Government's procurement policies come as the Rudd Government embarks on a massive infrastructure spending plan to boost the economy.
CFMEU Construction National Secretary, Dave Noonan said the new Guidelines contained some encouragement for employers to hire and train apprentices but fell short of the action needed to improve safety on Australian building sites.
"These are modest measures. We would have liked the Code to have more teeth, but it is a step in the right direction."
The union will be monitoring the Commonwealth funded construction sites where the Code will be implemented, to ensure that it results in jobs for young Australians.
"We want to see the changes to the Code enhancing the skills and capacity of the construction industry," Mr Noonan said.
"We will be working with employers to make sure women, Indigenous people and apprentices can grab the opportunity to work in construction.
"Safety continues to be the main concern for the construction industry, where on average one worker dies each week.
"The new measures in the Government's guidelines don't address the unacceptable safety record in the construction industry or deal with employers with poor safety records.
"There must be a ban on any construction company with a poor safety record, in particular those who are responsible for workplace fatalities, bidding for Federal Government work."
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