Apprentices say it's tough getting jobs

Andrew Brinkworth drives 160 kilometres every day to his apprenticeship.

"It's just what you've got to do," he says.

"Apprenticeships are hard to get."

Mr Brinkworth is a third-year apprentice at Adelaide City Council but lives in Victor Harbor, about 80 kilometres south of the city centre.

It took him nine months to find another gig after his first employer ran into financial troubles.

He's not alone.

Before Charles May moved out to Balaklava to be near his apprentice work place, he clocked 200km every day getting to and from work.

He agrees it's just what must be done to get a qualification.

But Mr May is one of the lucky ones.

After seven months working odd jobs such as a furniture removalist to get some cash, he secured an apprenticeship through the indigenous youth mobility program.

His boss not only gave him the opportunity to work, but also a house near the workshop for him to rent.

"He's awesome, what he's done for me," Mr May told AAP.

The 20-something pair study at TAFE SA and have to travel long distances for their training.

On Tuesday, they got to share their stories with Opposition Leader Bill Shorten who was in Adelaide to promise a boost in the number of apprenticeships.

About 120,000 apprenticeships had been lost under the coalition, Mr Shorten said.

A Labor government would require 1-in-10 workers at federally-funded infrastructure projects be apprentices, creating about 2600 spots.

The pledge comes with no new cash, but Mr Shorten promised there's more to be revealed.

Both Mr May and Mr Brinkworth say it's been more difficult for them to secure a training job because they're older than most apprentices.

At 25 years old, employers have to fork over more money to take on Mr May and the pair would like to see incentives for businesses to hire older workers.

Both hope one day to start their own businesses and hire apprentices like themselves.