Apprentices Victoria will co-ordinate apprenticeships in the state and provide support for workers.

A key plank will be a $33 million program to provide 1500 opportunities to apprentices and trainees each year for four years on building projects such as the Footscray Hospital, North East Link and the Warrnambool Learning and Library Hub.

Training and Skills Minister Gayle Tierney said the body would help people who were struggling to find work in the wake of the pandemic.

"This is also about making sure that we target those that have also done a pretty tough during the pandemic," she said.

"We know that women have done it tough, we know young people have done it tough, and we know lots of people have lost jobs.

"This is a perfect pathway for people to be engaged, acquire skills and take on an apprenticeship."

Priority for the 1500 opportunities will be given to workers affected by the pandemic, disadvantaged Victorians and those under-represented in the construction industry.

"A strong skills and training sector is vital to our economy and recovery from the coronavirus pandemic - that's why we're backing it with initiatives like this," said Acting Premier James Merlino.

Australian Associated Press