NECA to Deliver Specialist Mentoring Services for Apprentices | NECA

News & Views

2nd March 2018

NECA to Deliver Specialist Mentoring Services for Apprentices

NECA SA/NT has been contracted by the Department of Education and Training to deliver Electrical Industry Specialist Mentoring Services under the ISMAA Program. The Australian Government established this program to provide Australian Apprentices with the opportunity to access an intensive and specialist level of assistance that requires a detailed knowledge of the industry.

The overarching aim of the Industry Specialist Mentoring Service is to increase the retention rates of Apprentices in the first two years of training and, as a result, improve completion rates and increase the supply of skilled workers in the industry sector. The delivery of mentoring support will help to address particular career and skills development concerns related to the industry. It will involve regular one-on-one contact from highly skilled mentors.

There will be a mentor placed in South Australia and another in the Northern Territory. 

To be eligible to receive Services under the ISMAA program Apprentices must be in the first two years of their training.

The NECA Mentor will provide the following services, tailored to the needs of each eligible Apprentice:

  • expert advice on career options, pathways, and skills development requirements within the industry;
  • support with skills training;
  • support in the development of particular technical skills;
  • referral to other forms of support where the Apprentice is facing personal issues that are causing barriers to retention / completion of training;
  • support and advice to adapt to the demands of workplaces within the sector;
  • supporting off-the-job learning requirements;
  • providing motivation and confidence building to help achieve potential and build resilience;
  • being a positive role model to help encourage independence, self-reliance and assistance with resolving issues that could pose a threat to the completion of the training;
  • providing support and advice to apprentices during periods of personal difficulty.

 

Mentors will also have a level of involvement with both employers and the Apprentice’s RTO to ensure that potential factors influencing success of the apprenticeship can be addressed.

In accordance with this free service to members we are seeking your advice as to whether you have any eligible apprentices and if so, are you happy to receive this invaluable assistance.

If you are interested, please either email or phone Leah Boyce, Marketing and Member Services Manager at the NECA SA/NT office on (08) 8272 2966 or leah.boyce@necasa.asn.au