Concern over training ‘fall’

JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
A FALL in apprenticeships has concerned Geelong industry bodies and employers.
The drop prompted a State Government investigation into the apprenticeship system.
Barry Allen, a director of Geelong recruitment firm Gforce, said apprenticeships were in a “bit of a lull” after surge immediately following the global financial crisis.
Gordon Institute of TAFE reported a 7.6 per cent decrease in apprenticeship enrolments. Hous-ing Industry Association also said apprenticeship numbers had declined.
The Skills Victoria investigation said building and construction trades had recovered strongly but other industries had achieved negligible apprenticeship growth.
The investigation said the apprenticeship system faced “a range of challenges”.
Mr Allen said declining government contracts and a “wait-and-see” attitude toward the economy among employers was affecting the “flat employment market”.
“Employers who put on apprentices are waiting for them to get through their four years of training.
“Armstrong Creek is going to be great but not it’s up and running yet, so we’re in a bit of a lull.”
Mr Allen said low completion rates for apprentices, down to 50 per cent, was also a concern for industry.
“The first 18 months of an apprenticeship is pretty tough. It’s a low wage and basic work.
“They might come back to it later but, statistically, it goes down as a cancellation.”
HIA Victorian director Gil King said the apprenticeships decline was due to social factors as well as problems with the system.
“Apprenticeships face an identity crisis in some of our building trades because there’s no clear pathway to a profession or career,” Mr King said.
“Skilled people who have a tertiary qualification are not given due recognition.
“There is no registration that states an apprentice is now a qualified carpenter, for instance.”
Gordon chief Grant Sutherland said the institute had an average 4100 apprentices enrolled in 2011.
The “small” enrolments dec-rease of 7.6 per cent followed an increase of 45 per cent the previous year.
Skills Victoria will run a public consultation workshop to seek feedback on reforms to the apprenticeship system.
The workshop will be from12pm to 4pm on February 20 at Geelong Conference Centre Auditorium in Eastern Park.