An apprentice provides businesses with the chance to develop skilled staff with training suited to your business’s needs. Job applicants often lack the skills and qualifications to work in certain fields however, offering an apprenticeship program helps to fill this gap. Businesses of all shapes and sizes could benefit from hiring an apprentice to build their staff base.
How Does an Apprenticeship work?
It is a structured training program where apprentices work and learn skills at your business while studying. Ultimately, they are training to become skilful in a certain trade. An apprentice can work either full-time, part-time or while they are in high school. Providing a hands-on experience for your apprentice is the key to their success. Hence, it is important to question your means to provide this type of training before you decide to hire.
Regulatory Requirements
Rights and employment benefits are the same for apprentices as they are for all Australians. Wages are dependent on a number of factors, such as:
- Age
- Industry or occupation
- Year of training
- Type of qualification
When dealing with high school apprentices, make sure that you know how to best support them starting in the workforce. Further, the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act 2001 sets out everything that you need to know to protect your business and your apprentices. Make certain that you are across all the rules that are expected of your business.
Support Networks
Australia Apprenticeship Support Network Provider
If your business is able to support and train an apprentice, the first step is talking to an Apprenticeship Network provider. Providers act as a support system for the employer over the course of the apprenticeship. They help with hiring, training and keeping on apprentices after their training has finished. An Apprenticeship Network provider can help with deciding your eligibility for incentives. These are based on a number of factors but can help to support your business during the process.
Group Training Organisations (GTO)
Businesses struggling to meet the requirements to hire an apprentice can get support from a GTO. These organisations hire apprentices themselves and later connect the apprentice with a host employer. Two businesses can share the same apprentice through GTO, teaching the apprentice many skills from different employers. Further, GTO’s lessen financial stress as they sort out wages, superannuation and workers compensation.
Financial Support
Wages
As part of their response to COVID-19, the Australian Government will subsidise wages by 50%, to help small businesses. Employers are given a total of $21,000 for each eligible apprentice. The package will last for a 9-month period, from 1 January 2020 to 30 September 2020.
Disabled Australian Apprentice Wage Support (DAAWS)
An incentive-based program, DAAWS is given to businesses who hire apprentices with a disability. The program includes tutorial, mentor and interpreter services to eligible apprentices needing extra support outside of their training. Further, their Employment Assistance Fund helps people with disabilities and mental health conditions to buy work-related services and assistance tools.
Conclusion
An apprentice is a key asset to your business, helping to create a skilled workforce. Apprentice programs give your business the chance to employ staff trained according to the standards of your business. Support networks and Government packages can help you run a successful apprenticeship program for your business.
