The Industry Skills Council for the energy sector trades, E-Oz Energy Skills Australia, is calling on Queensland’s electricians to help avoid a statewide sparkie shortage by taking on fresh apprentices under a new pilot program.

For the past decade employment of electricians has grown at almost three times the rate of the national workforce. This demand is expected to continue, spurred by clean energy developments, mining construction and technology advancements. Rapid growth however is putting pressure on the training system, with projected contract completions falling by over 10% since 2006. This means Queensland faces a problematic and growing shortage of trained electricians.

E-Oz Energy Skills Australia chief executive Bob Taylor, says his Skills Council has worked hard on a bold new pilot apprenticeship system to better suit the needs of employers. He is urging Queensland’s electricians to take on an apprentice under the pilot scheme.

“The traditional apprenticeship program in the electrical trades is resulting in a drop-out rate of around 40%,” Bob notes.

“This is simply not good enough. Employers are understandably wary about taking on apprentices when there is such a high chance that they will not complete their training. That’s why I am urging Queensland’s electricians to consider this new pilot program, which will result in far, far better retention rates.”

To be eligible to join the pilot program, apprentices need to pass a national aptitude assessment, which has been verified by industry.

“Passing the national aptitude assessment means employers can feel confident that the apprentices they take on are up for the challenge and ready to learn and be successful. That’s a significant difference to the current approach,” Bob says.

In a further significant change, instead of being time-based, progression through an apprenticeship will be competency-based, meaning greater flexibility for apprentices and employers.

“The traditional model is rigidly time-based, but under the pilot apprentices can move through their apprenticeship at their own pace, passing industry set benchmarks along the way,” Bob adds.

“For electricians in Queensland who have toyed with the idea of taking on an apprentice, this is a fantastic opportunity. I strongly urge sparkies to do themselves and their state a favour and take on an apprentice under this new pilot program.”

Xstrata, Mount Isa Mines, electrical team leader Kerry Brisbane has taken on apprentices under the pilot and said it had clear benefits.

“The pilot program adds value to our activities from a strategic business perspective, because it will allow us to progress competent apprentices faster, which will help fulfil our need for skilled tradespeople within our mining and processing operations,” Kerry says.

“The program’s Readiness Assessment will support our current aptitude testing activities during recruitment to ensure our electrical apprentices have the necessary literacy and numeracy skills required of the trade, and the combination of units, e-Profiling markers and clustered assessments will help ensure all apprentices are truly competent before progressing through phases.”

Sunshine Coast TAFE in Nambour, has signed up to participate in the pilot program, and head of engineering Phil Evans says the program would make it more attractive for employers to take on an apprentice.

“Because of the readiness test, employers will be able to offer an apprenticeships to applicants who already demonstrate an aptitude for mathematical thinking, which is essential for the trade. I believe this pilot really raises of the bar for quality training in the electrical industry,” Phil says.