Apprentice Training Program
The History
The Apprentice Training Unit was created to manage the placement and training of apprentices with host employers undertaking Government maintenance, construction and refurbishment work.
The intention was to develop a scheme that focuses on attraction and retention to the building and construction industry as a career, to contribute to the sustainability of the building and construction industry.
With the separation of the Department of Housing and Works, the Apprentice Training Unit now comes under the Building Management and Works business of the Department of Finance, but maintains its relationship with the Department of Housing.
As the Department of Finance is not in a position to directly indenture apprentices, it has formed partnerships with Group Training Organisations. Currently Skill Hire, The West Australian Group Training Scheme, MPA Skills, The Apprentice and Traineeship Company, South Metropolitan Youth Link, and Kimberley Group Training act as the employers of the Department’s apprentices and trainees. The Department has also formed a partnership with Fairbridge.
Financing
The Department of Finance and Department of Housing contractors and subcontractors provide on the job training and daily supervision, an essential element of trade training. In return, Finance has a “shared cost model” which shares the financial cost of the apprentice with the contractor. This model recognises the cost versus the benefits of an apprentice to contractors through the term of the apprenticeship.
Finance Contribution to the Apprentice Costs
| |
Finance |
Host Employer |
| Year 1 Apprentice Certificate II Trainee |
100% |
0% |
| Year 2 Apprentice |
50% |
50% |
| Year 3 Apprentice |
30% |
70% |
| Year 4 Apprentice (electrical/plumbing only) |
0% |
100% |
All overtime hours worked and above award allowance or penalties will be charged at 100% to the host employer
Why Group Training?
The Apprentice Training Unit uses the group training model for a number of reasons:
Our Group Training Organisations are selected based on their experience in the industry and demonstrated success
Apprentices can be rotated with different Host Employers to give them exposure to different types of work sites, maximizing their learning experience on government construction and maintenance work projects
Apprentices are directly indentured by the Group Training Organisations on behalf of the Apprentice Training Unit.
Benefits to Host Employers
Host Employers can benefit from engaging Apprentice Training Program apprentices because:
Our contracted Group Training Organisations arrange the recruitment, sign up paperwork, ongoing payroll and administration for the apprentices
Apprentices can be engaged for the term of government contracts to meet contractual requirements for apprentice employment
The Cost Share Model provides subsidies that reflect the skill levels appropriate to the apprenticeship year
Field officers and/or mentors provide support to the apprentices throughout the life of their apprenticeship.
Benefits for Apprentices
The program provides significant benefits for the apprentices such as opportunities to be involved in large government infrastructure projects, the support of experienced Group Training Organisations and additional training relevant to their career goals in the final year of their apprenticeship. Apprentices can choose to undertake industry courses such as Working at Heights or they could choose a small business course to help them in starting up their own business.
Priority Start Building Program
The Priority Start - Building is a policy that applies to all Western Australian State Government building and construction projects including civil and engineering projects with a labour component in excess of $300 000.
Successful tenders are required to meet a pre-determined training requirement by providing training opportunities for a target number of apprentices to be engaged for the full duration of the contract. The Industry Training Unit assists successful contractors through BMW to meet the requirements of this policy. More information on the policy is available from www.trainingwa.wa.gov.au
An Award Winning Program
The Apprentice Training Program came runner up the Premiers Award in the category of Developing the Economy in 2009.
The program has celebrated many successes including 74 apprentices graduating to date and winning the Master Builders' Association Apprentice of the Year Award for 2010.
Apprentice of the Year Kade Keddie (centre)