GOOD MIX HELPS STARTERS RISE
WOULD-BE apprentices are urged to do short training courses first if they want to convince an employer to take them on.
National Centre for Vocational Education Research figures show a 14 per cent drop in the number of people starting their training in traditional trade areas, most commonly through an apprenticeship.
Maxima national group training manager Mark Olson believes the figures reflect hesitation by employers to hire an apprentice in a subdued economy, rather than a decrease in people seeking apprenticeships.
“If the (apprentice) jobs were around, we would certainly get plenty of applications for them,’’ Olson says.
“It’s not about kids not wanting (an apprenticeship). The number of (apprenticeships available) have dropped, particularly in (the) oil and gas and mining (industries).’’
In contrast, NCVER says there was a 17 per cent spike in new enrolments in non-trade training, mainly through traineeships, last year compared to the same time in 2015.
Olson says employers are more comfortable taking on a trainee, whose training lasts 12 months, than an apprentice, who takes four years to become qualified. He says those who want to start an apprenticeship would be best served signing up to a group training organisation, which is obliged to find another host employer for the apprentice if their initial employer no longer has work available.
Given the shortfall of apprenticeships available, they should also enrol in pre-apprenticeship courses to stand out, he says.
NCVER statistics and analytics manager Dr Mette Creaser agrees apprenticeships, particularly in building and construction, electrical and plumbing, are more affected by economic conditions. But for those that persevere, the efforts are worthwhile.