We are also extending the Apprenticeship Boost initiative, supporting firms to keep early-stage apprentices employed and to bring on new apprentices, and strengthen the skilled workforces New Zealand needs to recover from the impacts of COVID-19. More than 190,000 Kiwis have been supported through our investments in trades training since the start of COVID, and 38,000 apprentices are expected to benefit from the extension of the Apprenticeship Boost through to the end of 2023.