The plan will see Labor spend $1million over four years to help businesses attract workers in fields including dentistry, accounting, architecture, planning and nursing.

Training Minister Andrew Barr said the details of how much graduates would receive and how many could apply for the scheme were yet to be determined. He said the Government's plan left the scheme flexible for the needs of businesses.

''It would be central planning in the extreme to suggest that over four years we would be able to predict exactly where each individual would go in each of the industries,'' he said.

Other pledges include $5 million for updating technology at the Canberra Institute of Technology for students studying IT, multimedia, environmental science, dentistry and hospitality. A further $1 million would help pay for tolls and tuition fees for apprentices and trainees.

Opposition Leader Zed Seselja said while investment in skills was important, the cost of Labor promises were beginning to mount.

''After decrying the need to avoid deficits for the last few months, Jon Stanhope's desperate attempts to buy votes has accumulated a total that will result in a cumulative deficit of $300 million dollars over the next four years.''