BUILDING APPRENTICESHIPS IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA

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1 BUILDING APPRENTICESHIPS IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA A guide for builders and sub-contractors on how to employ an Australian Apprentice Visit The Construction Apprenticeship Mentoring Scheme is funded by the Australian Government Department of Industry through the Australian Apprenticeships Mentoring Package

2 Master Builders believes it is in the interests of builders and sub-contractors to invest in our industry s future by taking on and training apprentices and trainees. This publication is an easy guide to the requirements for employing an apprentice or trainee for either a part or the whole of their apprenticeship. All apprenticeships and traineeships can be undertaken on a full-time basis and most can also be part-time. As an employer you will need to select which apprenticeship or traineeship would best suit your business needs. For the full list of apprenticeships and traineeships available and their duration go to: There are many options for employers to take on an apprentice ranging from being a host employer for just a few short weeks right through to employing an apprentice for the duration of their apprenticeship.

3 What does it cost to employ an Australian Apprentice? Australian Apprentices are usually employed under a federal or state award or agreement. They are paid a wage which varies depending on the number of years of school they completed, which year of their training they are in, the type of Australian Apprenticeship they are doing and the industry or occupation. Australian Apprentices have the same rights to superannuation, workers compensation and other entitlements as all other workers in Australia. Australian Apprentices are exempt from payroll tax. If employed under a State award you can contact Wageline on and confirm the rate of pay and conditions of employment. If employed under a Federal Award you can contact Fair Work Australia on and confirm the rate of pay and conditions of employment. Alternatively if you are a member of Master Builders WA you can contact Kim Richardson on for industrial relations advice.

4 There are 2 main ways that you as a builder or sub-contractor can employ an apprentice. These are Direct Indenture or become a host through a Group Training Organisation. Both of these options have advantages for both the employer and the apprentice. DIRECT INDENTURE is where you will employ the Australian Apprentice on a full-time basis for the entirety of their apprenticeship, up to 4 years depending on the qualification. The advantages for this are: You train the apprentice to your business requirements You are investing in the future of the industry Grow your workforce for the future Can be full-time, part-time or school-based, depending on what suits your business needs Nationally recognised qualifications and competencies A range of financial incentives for eligible employers. If you employ an apprentice through direct indenture or a Group Training Organisation, the Construction Training Fund can provide grants of up to $19,000 to help reduce the cost of training. For further details, contact the Construction Training Fund on or

5 If you decide that you may not have enough long term work or you will not be able to expose the apprentice to all aspects of the trade, or you do not want the administrative responsibilities, then you can HOST an Australian Apprentice through a Group Training Organisation. (GTO) The advantages for this are: You are not locked in for the full duration of the apprenticeship term All taxes, insurances and administration are taken care of, including holiday pay, sick leave and superannuation No advertising to fill the position Provide PPE to the apprentice The GTO will provide the mentoring and pastoral care involved in helping a young person make the transition from school to work allowing you to concentrate on training the apprentice and running your business

6 If you decide to directly indenture an Australian Apprentice there are some simple steps that you will need to follow. Step 1 Finding an Apprentice or Trainee To find young people interested in building and construction industry apprenticeships or traineeships: Advertise on the ApprentiCentre Jobs Board Check out the website: Phone: Contact your local secondary school careers teacher. Contact your local Registered Training Organisation as they may be running a pre-apprenticeship course and you will be able to hand pick your future apprentice. Advertise in the newspaper. Contact your local Job Services Australia provider on Contact the Australian Brick & Blocklaying Training Foundation on for bricklayers. TIP: When interviewing prospective apprentices or trainees: Explain your expectations. Provide information on industry working hours, conditions, the nature and location of the work.

7 Step 2 Taking on an Apprentice or Trainee When you have a suitable recruit you will need to sign a Training Contract for a specified term. This can be organised, at no cost, through any of the following Australian Apprenticeship Centres: CCI Apprenticeship Solutions (Perth metro & regional WA) Phone: MEGT (Australia) Ltd (Perth Metro) Phone: 13 MEGT ( ) The Apprentice and Traineeship Company (South West Regional WA) Phone: AMA Services Ltd. (Perth Metro) Phone

8 Step 3 Developing a Training Plan Part of your Training Contract Obligation is to be involved with the Registered Training Organisation (RTO) in developing a Training Plan. This is not difficult, in fact the RTO will meet with you and talk you through the whole process. This is where you, the apprentice and the RTO can select when and where the apprentice goes to undertake their training and also the elective units that they choose for their qualification. ApprentiCentre can provide more advice and assistance on training options. Website: Phone: Most learning opportunities will be out on site and you will need to provide appropriate training and supervision to give your apprentice or trainee the opportunity to learn the skills they require to complete their apprenticeship or traineeship and become competent workers. Your RTO is responsible for developing a training plan with you, providing training and assessment and issuing the apprentice s or trainee s qualification.

9 Step 4 Obtaining Financial Incentives Various incentives help to cover the cost of your apprentice. There are numerous Government incentives that are continually updated. To view the latest Government incentives visit: Construction Training Fund View the latest incentives at Australian Brick and Blocklaying Training Foundation View the latest incentives at You are exempt from payroll tax on apprentice wages. For more information contact Department of Treasury and Finance on or uploadedfiles/_state_revenue/pay-roll_tax/ Payroll_Tax_Fact_Sheet_-_General_Information.pdf TIP: Apprentices can apply for incentives and training subsidies. Contact your Australian Apprenticeships Centre for more details.

10 There is a probationary period which can vary from 1 month to 3 months. It is usually is one month for every year of the apprenticeship or traineeship. At any time during this period you or the apprentice can terminate the employment. Conditions of employment for apprentices should be set out concisely in writing. In addition to wages, apprentices are also entitled to 9.25 % superannuation and registration with MyLeave, the Construction Industry Long Service Leave Scheme. For more details contact MyLeave on Prior to working on-site all apprentices are required to undertake mandatory construction induction training to obtain a whitecard. The Construction Training Fund offers a subsidy to eligible persons undertaking this training. Contact the Master Builders Association on for dates of upcoming whitecard courses. We also have an online option.

11 Stage 5 Finishing the Job Your Qualified Tradesperson This process is also simple. When you believe the apprentice possesses the minimum skills of a tradesman, you can contact the RTO. Providing all the RTO training is complete, you can request a "Completion Agreement" and complete the apprenticeship early. The RTO issues the apprentice s or trainee s qualification. You apply to your Australian Apprenticeships Centre, ABBTF and Construction Training Fund for your final incentive payments. Give yourself a pat on the back. You have successfully invested in the future of the industry. Celebrate with your new tradesperson and don t forget the good experience that you have just had and start to look for your next apprentice.

12 Group Training Organisations (GTO s) If you prefer not to employ an apprentice directly because you only need an apprentice for a short period, or you are not able to provide training for all aspects of an apprenticeship, then using a Group Training Organisation may be for you. This is also a good option for those who are busy, or don t want to handle much administration. Group Training Organisations employ apprentices and make them available to employers for long and short term projects. The Group Training Organisation does the payroll including payment of all wages and entitlements including superannuation, annual leave and sick leave and provides workers compensation cover. Construction Training Fund subsidies are passed onto GTO s to assist in the reduction of costs associated with employing an apprentice in the building and construction industry. The length of the apprentice or trainee placement can be flexible to suit your changing business needs. GTO s can offer apprentices with mixed experience levels from 1st, 2nd, 3rd to 4th year. They can be full-time, part-time or school-based, depending on what suits your business. The apprentice or trainee will receive ongoing support in work placement and training throughout their apprenticeship.

13 GTO s that are members of Master Builders Western Australia: MEGT Phone: Skill Hire Pty Ltd Phone: ABN Training Phone: The Apprentice & Traineeship Company (Group Training South West Inc) Phone: Perth Bunbury Mandurah Apprentice & Traineeship Co (Midwest Group Inc) Phone: M P A Skills (Plumbers and Painters) Phone: ATC Work Smart (Great southern and Esperance) Phone Kimberley Group Training Inc Phone: The West Australian Group Training Scheme Phone:

14 The following checklist sets out the training responsibilities expected of employers taking on an Australian Apprentice: Establish & maintain a good working relationship with the apprentice or trainee Maintain a strong focus on OH&S standards Give clear instructions Understand and carry out the requirements as set out in the training plan of the Apprenticeship Agreement Know when the apprentice is due for RTO training Develop a relationship with the RTO Comply with the your employment obligations, including wages, superannuation & pay slips Be a role model and a leader Provide feedback to the RTO regarding progress Encourage apprenticeship completion Provide adequate onsite training, including time on the tools Make contact with the appropriate authorities if the apprenticeship becomes in any way at risk

15 MASTER BUILDERS AWARDS The Master Builders celebrates achievements in the building and construction industry through a range of apprentice awards. These awards are presented throughout the year in Perth and major regional centres. Whilst you are an apprentice you can be nominated by your employer in a number of categories that are decided each year. Applicants are assessed on their overall standard of achievement and potential, taking all the information provided in the nomination form into consideration. Master Builders Apprentice Awards are prestigious events and can provide you with great networking opportunities. Think about nominating your apprentice into the Master Builders Western Australia Apprentice Awards. For more information contact Training on Employers who are members of Master Builders and employ apprentices are recognised for their efforts by a listing on the Master Builders Website. Information contained in this booklet is correct as at December 2013

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