Aust apprenticeship system 'broken'

Apprenticeships are suffering from an image problem and more needs to be done to fix the "broken" system, the state's peak business body has warned.

The lack of skilled workers will become increasingly important as NSW delivers massive infrastructure projects in coming years, according to a new report released by the NSW Business Chamber.

"One of the biggest problems plaguing participation in apprenticeships is a perception issue," the group's chief executive Stephen Cartwright said on Wednesday.