No need to fret about ATAR – scores of apprenticeships and traineeships are available for an immediate start
Parents of students who are receiving their Year 12 results over coming days have been reminded of the tremendous opportunities from apprenticeships and traineeships, as they think about career and study choices.
National Executive Officer of the National Apprentice Employment Network (NAEN) Dianne Dayhew said group training organisations are on the lookout for young people leaving school who want to learn new skills and commence a rewarding career.
“There are scores of apprenticeship and traineeships going begging in many industries and these provide a great career start, and an alternative for those who don’t want to go to university,” Ms Dayhew said.
“For the right person, it’s virtually a walk up start.” Apprenticeship opportunities exist in areas including Building and Construction, Horticulture,
Hospitality, Automotive, Engineering, and Manufacturing. Traineeships are available in areas such as Business, Retail, Community Health, Child Care, and Financial Services.
“What many students and parents don’t realise is that those who do an apprenticeship or traineeship often earn more immediately after they’ve completed their training than many students who go to university.
“Parents, in particular, should remember that the ATAR is designed for school leavers planning to go to university, so there is no need to stress if university is not in the plan.
“There are such great opportunities on offer for someone wanting to start a vocational career in the skilled trades, hospitality, health care, among others, and there are a lot of positions on offer.”
Ms Dayhew said it was disappointing that students often graduate from Year 12 with university as their only option.
“Group training organisations around Australia have a unique role in matching young people to employers where they will learn on-the-job, while gaining a formal qualification from TAFE or college.
“They are earning a wage while they train and developing skills that will last a lifetime.
“A key advantage in doing an apprenticeship or traineeship through group training is that you can be rotated to another employer should work dry up, or if there is a need for further training,” she said.
Group training organisations have more than three decades of experience matching young people to the right employers and providing mentoring and support while they complete their training.
There are group training organisations across metropolitan, rural and regional Australia, with some specialising in particular industries such as electrical, plumbing or hospitality, while others cover a range of industries and trades.
You can find a group training organisation by visiting naen.com.au
Media Contact: Bob Bowden, Foresight Communications Ph 0412 753 298 E
bbowden@bowmac.com.au
National apprenticeship network welcomes VET review
The National Apprentice Employment Network (NAEN) today welcomed the federal government’s commitment to a comprehensive review of the national VET system.
National Executive Officer Dianne Dayhew said such a review is vital to ensure that the VET system supports a nationally consistent model of training and skills development, with the best outcomes for workers of the future.
“Both the Coalition and Labor are committed to examining the VET system and this is a very positive step for the future of apprenticeships and traineeships which need to be at the heart of our modern workforce,” Ms Dayhew said.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced yesterday that the government review will be headed by Steven Joyce, the former New Zealand Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment, and Minister of Finance, and will report in March.
Ms Dayhew said important issues for the national apprentice employment network would include proper funding for apprenticeships and traineeships, the role of the Commonwealth, states and territories, linkages with employers and training providers, and the place for extending
apprenticeships into new areas of work.
“The apprenticeship sector has been subject to a great deal of tinkering in recent years, not all of it positive, yet the group training network continues to work with thousands of apprentices and trainees in communities around Australia, matching them to host employers and overseeing their progress to completion.
“What we urgently need is a stable and well thought out framework that supports the national apprenticeship system, providing the right incentives for employers and the right mix of skills to meet current and emerging needs of apprentices, trainees and employers.
“We look forward to actively engaging with both the Coalition’s review and with the Federal Opposition which has announced plans for a full review of the post-secondary school system if elected to government,” Ms Dayhew said.
NAEN also welcomed the government’s announcement that if re-elected, it will extend the Adult Australian Apprentices payment to employers who take on an apprentice aged between 21 and 24.
From July 2019, eligible employers will receive a one-off payment of $4,000 to take on an adult apprentice aged 21 to 24 years. Until now, eligibility for the payment was limited to employers who engaged an eligible apprentice aged 25 or over.
Media Contact: Bob Bowden, Foresight Communications 0412 753 298 bbowden@bowmac.com.au
Jessie Murray – Maxima Group
Jessie grew up in Albury with his family and attended James Fallon High School, which was local to the area.
After completing year level 10 Jessie decided that he would like to follow a trade career and commenced an Apprenticeship in Carpentry, unfortunately this only last for 12 months as the employer ran out of work and could continue to keep Jessie employed.
It was at this time he decided to move away from Albury and relocated to Melbourne, he was employed a furniture removalist and did this for some time until he decided that he needed to invest in a long term meaningful career.
Returning home to Albury, Jessie responded to an employment opportunity with Westpac, he attended the interview and while he was in the branch he met with the Regional Manager of the district. After a thorough conversation the Regional Manager offered Jessie an Indigenous Traineeship through Maxima hosted to Westpac Albury.
Over the next twenty-four months Jessie studied Certificate III Financial Services, he gained many skills and learnt about the various banking products and how the branch ran. Jessie enjoyed this placement as he always had an interest in Financial Services and felt that the career path in front of him was far more interesting than furniture removal.
In 2017 Jessie wanted to further his career in banking and explored the opportunities around moving to Melbourne and completing a Certificate 4 in Financial Services, he was successful in gaining another traineeship with Maxima in the Melbourne Westpac Corporate Services office.
Jessie has further developed his skills and gained new ones around corporate functions, the experience has given him an opportunity to see how the back office works compared to the customer facing roles of the bank. The chance to work in the Melbourne corporate office has now opened up many more career opportunities for Jessie in the future, he continues to get great reviews from his supervisors.
Jessie plans on going to South America at the end of the year, this traineeship program has given him the chance to do so and potentially a long term career in banking.
Luke Dunrobin – Gforce Employment Solutions
Luke Dunrobin, grew up in Mackay and completed Year 12 at Mackay Christian College. After school Luke started a carpentry apprenticeship but was unable to continue due to lack of work availability. Luke worked as a cleaner for 6 months in a family business however once again work availability declined and Luke was out of work. Luke moved to Geelong in August 2016 to look for work and was successful in gaining a tiling apprenticeship through Gforce Employment Solutions in November 2016. Luke loves his apprenticeship and trade, he says it can be stressful, but the camaraderie with the other tradesmen, is something he enjoys and he likes the satisfaction when completing a job really well with quality work.
Luke’s host employer is very proactive in teaching Luke the skills of the trade and also mentors Luke in many other ways. Luke has proved to be an excellent employee, he learns quickly and eagerly and has a great work ethic.
Luke enjoys life in Geelong especially the climate. Luke has settled in well and has a lot of friends that attend Deakin University in Geelong and has also rekindled relationships with extended family that live in Warnambool. Luke returns home to Mackay regularly to visit with his Mum, Dad and siblings as well as extended family and friends. Luke feels it is very important to visit and maintain connections as he is the eldest sibling and it is important to him to have a relationship with his young siblings.
Karajarri Rangers leading with Indigenous School Based Trainees
KAMAHL BANGU & PETHA SHOVELLOR
2017 marks a new adventure for Karajarri Rangers and Kimberley Land Council for hosting the first school based trainees with KGT Employment. Recognising the importance of engaging youth and assisting them to reach their goals is an essential part of getting youth to look after their country. Let’s get to know the new Indigenous school-based trainees: Kamahl Bangu and Petha Shovellor.
Kamahl is a year 11 student who enjoys camping, hunting, fishing and footie. His school-based traineeship has seen him learn exciting new skills such as Cyber tracking and completing Neem weeds work.
Petha is a year 12 student who enjoys fishing, spending time with family and being out on country and her music.
Both Kamahl and Petha are hardworking and committed young people who we know will take this opportunity and reach for the stars. We all hope this is just the beginning for Indigenous school-based trainees in remote communities and wish to see school based traineeships grow in numbers over the upcoming years. With excellent role models like Kamahl and Petha leading the way in Bidyadanga Community, KGT is confident that opportunities will arise for other young people soon.
KGT Employment would like to take this time to thank everyone involved in making this happen – KTLA, KLC, Karajarri rangers, Sam IPA Coordinator, Ewan and Jackie Coordinator and of course La Grange Remote Community School. Also KGT would like to thank the National Apprentice Employment network (NAEN) for supporting this initiative with funding support from the Australian Government.
Photo of PETHA SHOVELLOR.
Wilfred Cox – Kimberley Group Training
A former Kununurra Clontarf Academy graduate, Wilfred experienced a path full of twists and turns before deciding to pursue a career pathway in Carpentry and Joinery. Originally offered an apprenticeship when straight out of year 12, he was not able to continue on his trade back then. In Wilfred’s words “I was not quite ready and did not know if that was for me. I wanted to have other experiences so decided at that time I had to move on”.
In the years that followed, Wilfred had the opportunity to live different experiences. While living in the remote WA outback town Halls Creek, he came to the realisation that he needed to further himself if he was to become a role model to his family and achieve his goals. “I saw many of the local youth in Halls Creek just hanging around and no aspirations. Moving back to Kununurra and pursuing an apprenticeship as a tradesman became my goal”.
In 2016 Wilfred decided to approach KGT and became a part of VTEC. He was supported by his Field Officer Rene’ Harbers who helped him kick-start his career. Wilfred joined the KGT VTEC Industrial Skills pre-employment program, which saw him acquire key skills to transition to employment. At that time he already showed signs that he had matured his ideas around pursuing a trade “The pre-employment program made me sure that’s what I wanted to do for my life”, he says. On completion of the training Wilfred was offered a week trial with CWD Builders to what followed securing full-time employment with KGT while hosted at local company MGC Building and Construction Pty Ltd. And that was just the start of a journey marked by achievements.
Wilfred’s employer set a challenge: if Willy set his mind to it and obtained his driver’s licence as fast as possible, he would be rewarded with a $100 voucher to get tools to help him with his trade. Plus, he would be able to drive the company vehicle to get to job calls easily. Wilfred lived up to the challenge and is now the proud owner of a new car Licence. He is looking forward to using his prize to go ‘tool shopping’ with his supervisor. “I am glad I finally got my licence. The support I received from my supervisor and KGT was very encouraging too. Whenever I felt down they picked me up and made me believe I could do it”.
Wilfred is a fantastic example that pre-employment programs do work. In remote towns, they offer intensive one-on-one support to disadvantaged participants who need it the most. No doubt Wilfred (locally know as Willy) has revved up his career to new heights.
KGT looks forward to seeing his story unfold and also would like to acknowledge VTEC, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and the National Apprentice Employment Network (NAEN) in the achievement of this successful employment outcome.