News & Views

10th August 2017

Getting the right fit for apprenticeships

Ongoing debate about declining apprenticeship numbers and the level of government funding in the training system ignore the reality that more needs to be done to attract the best person for the right apprenticeship, says the CEO of the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA), Mr Suresh Manickam.

“Whilst the decline in apprenticeship numbers is concerning, that’s not the complete picture when it comes to getting the right outcomes from the Vocational Education and Training sector. One of the significant problems of the previous VET sector model was that the wrong students were being signed up to the wrong courses, funded by a seemingly endless supply of taxpayer dollars.”

“The newly adopted model will prove successful if the training can deliver the skills and competencies to apprentices and trainees who fit the future job role, complete their training and skilling with competence and go on to achieving a fulfilling and ongoing career path,” Mr Manickam said.

“Electrotechnology remains one of the more interesting and fulfilling career paths and our sector requires a steady and ongoing stream of appropriately skilled electricians to fill the gaps left by retiring and highly skilled workers. However, we continue to suffer from lower levels of apprenticeship take-up with women and mature-aged workers.”

In 2016, female trade commencements made up just 12%, whilst mature aged workers made up just over 20% of total apprenticeship commencements, Australia-wide.

“NECA argues that more needs to be done to understand an apprentice’s suitability or readiness to become a long-term success within our sector. Readiness and aptitude tests are examples of the types of understanding future employers require to take on apprentices. We believe the debate should be pointed more towards readiness and suitability, not just not raw numbers,” Mr Manickam said.

-ENDS-

 

Media enquiries and interviews

Barry Jackson – National Marketing and Communications
barry.jackson@neca.asn.au
D 02 9962 6904
M 0457 767 328

Notes for editors

  1. NECA is the peak industry body representing the interests of electrical and communications contractors Australia-wide.
  2. NECA is run by electrical contractors, for electrical contractors.
  3. We have 5,000 contracting companies as members – and they in turn employ over 100,000 people Australia-wide.
  4. NECA employs almost 350 people across its seven chapters (Queensland, New South Wales, ACT, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia).
  5. The chapters provide NECA members with a range of services including: Industrial Relations, Health & Safety, Legal, Technical, Training, business-support services, product discounts and advocacy representation in Canberra with Government, Industry bodies and Training bodies.
  6. NECA wholly-owns its Legal firm, Group Training and the NECA Colleges (in WA) and EcoSmart Electricians – and has joint ventures with a superannuation company (NSW) and one of the national cabling registrars (ACRS).
  7. NECA also employ around 2,000 apprentice electricians and provides training to a further 2,000.
  8. For further information go to www.neca.asn.au.

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