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36 E L EC TR I C AL CONNEC T I ON
AU T UMN 20 1 7
T
he option of trades and
apprenticeships as a career choice
needs to be promoted from
early childhood if we are to turn around
the current deficit of people taking
on apprenticeships, says Laser Group
managing director Steve Keil.
As Australia’s largest network of
plumbers and electricians, the Laser
Group has over 1,500 trade qualified
employees with over one-third currently
completing their apprenticeships,
including a large percentage of mature
aged apprentices.
“We really need a multi-pronged and
timed approached when looking for a
solution,” Steve says.
“The Government is investing money
to encourage businesses to take on
apprentices now; however, many of these
grants are only available to businesses
that use Group Training Organisations
(GTOs), which means the small businesses
that hire apprentices directly miss out.
“For our members, only one-quarter
use these services and for those
not hiring apprentices, the reason is
primarily financial.”
Current reports state that 85.5% of
apprentices gain full time jobs six months
after completing training. That rate
compares with 68% of university graduates
finding work in the same time frame.
“By the time our kids are reaching
the end of their secondary schooling,
the focus becomes one of getting good
grades to enter university. We need to
change the perception that finding a trade
apprenticeship is not a viable outcome and
that having a degree will ensure a long-
term career.
“Careers teachers and parents often
miss the possibilities that come with
being a qualified tradie including,
owning your own business, or growing
your qualifications into specialisations
leading to a world of opportunity.
By starting these conversations in
primary school, we are also able to
reach young girls before they become
influenced by social perceptions that
NO SINGLE SOLUTION FOR
REQUIRED TRADES OVERHAUL