The Federal Government has announced it will extend its $57.5 million Kickstart apprenticeship for a further two months.

Minister for Education and Skills, Chris Bowen, said that the extension of the program for employers in the building, construction and engineering trades now have until the end of April to benefit from an extra incentive payment for them to take on a new apprentice.

"We want to encourage employers to take on an apprentice, train them up and position their businesses to take advantage of economic conditions as they improve," Mr Bowen said.

As at 28 February 2013, more than 12,000 apprentices have commenced employment under Kickstart, which triples incentives to employers in the first year of taking on an apprentice.

"The two-month extension is good for employers, good for young people seeking apprenticeships, and good for job seekers as it will help to stimulate employment in the building, construction and engineering industries," Mr Bowen said.

An extra $3,350 will be paid to eligible employers who take on a new construction or engineering apprentice in nominated trades, in addition to the existing $1,500 commencement payment for eligible employers.