In a speech that focused heavily on employment and nation building, the Prime Minister said 30,000 apprenticeships would have an environmental component made part of their training from January 1.

He took a swipe at climate change scpetics and others who claim an emissions trading scheme would be a job destroyer.

"The climate change sceptics constantly scaremonger about the possible loss of jobs through the transition to a lower carbon economy," he said.

"But they constantly fail to talk about the new clean energy jobs of the future, which will arise from the introduction of the carbon pollution reduction scheme, the renewable energy target and energy efficiency measures in the future."

The plan also includes a 10,000-member national Green Jobs Corps, whereby long-term young jobless will take part in six months of training and work experience.

There will be an additional 4000 training places for insulation installers and 6000 jobs from environmental sustainability programs in priority local economies.

Mr Rudd told delegates his Government planned to continue the Labor tradition of nation-building.

"This is the tradition of which we are so proud. And this is the tradition which now shapes the future we would craft for Australia," he said.

The Prime Minister received a standing ovation when he entered the Darling Harbour convention centre but there was no music or other fanfare. The conference is being kept deliberately low-key in deference to the economic downturn.

Mr Rudd again warned that the recovery would be difficult and that unemployment would continue to rise.