Become an Apprentice – Earn a Wage and A Qualification at the Same Time
Alvin Lal, is the Department of Apprenticeship Training and National Trade Test Manager at the Fiji National University’s National Training & Productivity Centre.
According to an International Labor Organisation ( ILO) report in 2018, skills mismatch and lack of employment opportunities for young people around the world leads to serious challenges.
As part of providing a solution to youth unemployment, quality apprenticeship can benefit job seekers and workers of all ages.
Due to the challenges in the labor market and the job requirements, people may find themselves in the need of retraining or upskilling. So what is Apprenticeship Training?
Apprenticeship training is a systematic training to equip apprentices with on-the-job skills combined with related theory training. This is governed by a written contract of apprenticeship.
In Fiji, the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme is administrated by the National Training and Productivity Centre of Fiji National University.
There is tripartite contract between the Employer, Apprentice and Director NTPC- FNU and this training is for three to five years. During the apprenticeship term, the apprentices will be working under supervision of experienced and skilled tradespeople from the industry and they will be trained and monitored according to the Apprenticeship Training Guides.
Learn as Your Earn
The apprentices are paid a minimum apprenticeship wage rate for the duration of the training.
This means when they attend theory training they are also being paid. The employer bears all cost related to apprenticeship.
This includes cost of personal protective equipment, tuition, accommodation (conditions apply), and also assist apprentices to equip themselves with the necessary tools.
This means the apprentice is personally not engaged in fee payment or taking loans for education.
What is the difference between Apprenticeship and traineeship/ internship?
Apprenticeships generally last for a longer period say three to four years compared to traineeship or internship which could be for a few months.
Apprenticeship training is very comprehensive and ensures that apprentices are trained in all the aspects related to a trade or occupation.
Workplace assessments are carried out which ensure that apprentices achieve the all the competencies required of the trade. However, traineeship or internship are generally shorter and tend to be less comprehensive and do not cover the range and depth of apprenticeship training.
Why Apprenticeship Training is highly valued globally?
Skills shortage is a global phenomenon.
Technological changes, migration, globalisation and demographic shifts have had extraordinary transformations to the world of work.
High labour mobility is an indicator that a highly skilled and trained person has many career opportunities either locally or internationally.
Below are some positive impacts of Apprenticeship:
1.According to an ILO survey in Netherlands, unemployment rate of work based apprenticeship graduates are less (three per cent) compared to graduates of school based route (11-30 per cent).
2.In many countries, it is very important for VETs to keep up with the market transformations.
They need to be flexible and respond quickly to these changes otherwise the skills set would have evolved and the training provided would be obsolete.
Some important things to consider are the skills need assessment, updating the training curriculum, upgrading of facilities and upskilling of trainers.
But with apprenticeship, training is provided with the latest technology in the industry and the apprentices require less time in adjusting to the changing needs.
3.Early integration into the world of work.
Apprentices are exposed to the world of work from day one and they are able experience the work requirements.
This is an early indicator whether the apprentice would consider taking up a particular career as opposed or they might choose another trade.
This also has advantage over the school based students whereby they complete the theory training but when they are exposed to the work environment they might have difficulty or may choose to pursue a career altogether.
In this sense, apprenticeship training has better coordination between world of education and world of work.
4.Increases productivity and promotes sustainable enterprises. Productive knowledge and skills are learnt on the job-The ‘know how’ or ‘learning by doing’ is an important characteristic of apprenticeship training.
5.High knowledge transfer across generations.
The highly skilled employees are able to train and produce a highly skilled next generation of workers. Apprentices are then taught the trick of the trade early and are able to grasp, develop and hence their knowledge and skills.
6.Create a safer workplace.
The apprenticeship program emphasises on occupational health and safety at workplace which creates a more vigilant workforce. This indirectly reduces downtime and compensation costs for the organisation.
7.Innovation and survival of businesses.
Apprentices are able to understand the processes and its operations so they are more likely to be able to implement an improved process or technology.
This is the businesses competitive advantage thus it has a higher survival chance.
8.Enterprises are more Innovative as apprentices are able to understand the complexities of an organisations processes and well trained workers are more likely to identify and implement new technological improvements.
9.Apprentices on the job trainings are conducted at employers worksites therefore training institutions do not have to procure expensive equipment and it is less expensive to maintain facilities. 10.Apprenticeship fosters a learning culture in an organisation which pushes people to learn new skills also builds employee loyalty. 11.When apprentices start earning they are able to manage their own finances and encourages them to invest.
They also start contributing towards their provident funds and the public authorities are able to tax revenues.
12.Reduces the cost of employment programmes.
Women in Trade
Trade related jobs were predominantly taken up by males but this perception is now changing as women are showing interest trade jobs.
More women are seen taking up jobs such as electricians, automotive mechanics, plumbing, welding, plant maintenance, navigation and seamanship etc.
With the shortage of skilled workers there are more opportunities for women to build a career in trade areas.
Career Decisions
Apprentices have built their careers while working for an employer who have assisted them in learning the profession in return for labor for an agreed period.
The skills and competences learned is to current industry practice therefore the skills learnt are very valuable.
If you are a year 12 or 13 student, this is a critical time that you may be deciding on your career path. This is not an easy task since there are many opportunities.
But, if you are a hands on person and if you would like to pursue a career in trade related jobs, then Apprenticeship could be your answer.
However, you will need to meet the minimum entry requirements to become an apprentice.
For more information contact the National Apprenticeship Training Department on 3392000 ext 4978 or email MNTT@fnu.ac.fj or send queries to info.ntpc@fnu.ac.fj.