Electrical Connection Spring 2015

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“A pprenticeships offer a mix
of on-the-job training and
theoretical education to give
the apprentice a nationally-recognised
trade qualification,” Northern Sydney
Institute construction and engineering
faculty manager Pat Vella says.
“Because apprentices are paid while
they learn the skills they need for their
chosen career, they can avoid having
a higher education debt and kick-start
their career sooner.
“But the master-apprentice relationship
is just as rewarding for the employer. It
gives experienced tradespeople a chance
to mentor a younger person or help a
mature-age apprentice change careers.
There are also tangible benefits to hiring
an apprentice.”
Northern Sydney Institute has
identified six key benefits of hiring an
apprentice:
1. Sustainable recruitment: The cost
of recruiting and training staff is high.
By recruiting an apprentice, businesses
can train a person in specific areas
and processes that result in greater
productivity for the business. This can
result in lower staff turnover and, as a
result, reduced recruitment costs.
2. Financial rewards: A range of
financial incentives may be available
to businesses that employ an eligible
apprentice. In addition, their pay rate
generally reflects the costs to the
employer of providing training, which
can make apprentices a more cost-
effective option, especially considering
their ongoing productivity and
contribution to the business.
3. Shared resource: Companies that
do not have enough work for a full-time
staff member can bring in apprentices
part-time while they are still at school.
Companies can also share an apprentice
with another business through a Group
Training Organisation (GTO), which
is ideal when the employer does not
have the range of work available to
ensure that the apprentice gains all the
necessary skills.
4. Community contribution: Many
business owners are community-
minded. Hiring an apprentice gives
young people an opportunity to launch
their careers and gives them an
incentive to work towards a future goal.
5. Increased productivity: Hiring
an apprentice requires businesses to
examine their policies and processes,
which can often result in positive
changes that increase productivity.
Additionally, the apprentice may offer
ideas and information that they have
gained through their studies, which can
help the business in turn.
6. Skills preservation: Apprentices are
the next generation of skilled workers.
By hiring an apprentice, business owners
gain the opportunity to pass on valuable
skills that may otherwise be lost.
Northern Sydney Institute
THE BENEFITS OF HIRING
AN APPRENTICE
Hiring an apprentice offers
significant benefits for
businesses, including financial
incentives and productivity
improvements.
HOW TO FIND AN
APPRENTICE
Before deciding to hire an apprentice,
business owners must first decide on
what the job entails and what skills
are needed. The role may be full-time,
part-time or school-based.
Apprentices can be hired directly by
the business or through a GTO. Before
selecting a candidate it is important to
interview them to make sure they will
fit in with the existing team and that
they understand the work and attitude
that will be required of them.
Business owners need to complete
a training contract through the
Australian Apprenticeships Centre:
.
Businesses can advertise for an
apprentice directly through TAFEs,
on employment websites and through
GTOs.