Skills Institute

Tuesday, 16 October 2012 - 12:14pm

Strengthening the electrical apprenticeship model

Local Training Provider, Skills Institute has been selected to participate in an innovative trial of competency based progression for electrical apprentices. The trial will provide local apprentices with the opportunity to progress through their training as soon as they demonstrate the required knowledge and skills, and local employers will have access to a register of candidates looking to begin an apprenticeship. Skills Institute’s participation in the trial is a demonstration of its progressive mindset and desire to provide quality training services which meet the needs of individuals and business in the area.

The pilot program, focused on improving electrical apprentice completion rates across the country is being inaugurated across each State and Territory.  The innovative concept led by EE-Oz Training Standards comprises a combination of services such as apprentice mentoring support, a national apprentice register and readiness assessment, the development of industry verified progression benchmarks as well as national training and assessment materials showcasing the start of a revolution of the training system.

2,500 first year apprentices will be involved in the pilot during 2013 and 2014.  EE-Oz Training Standards CEO, Bob Taylor said “Participating apprentices across Australia have the opportunity to experience a pioneering concept and provide feedback into the future apprentice training model and system.”

The pilot kicks off with a candidate readiness assessment being delivered at participating Registered Training Organisations.  Skills Institute has been carefully selected to be a part of the pilot program.  Customer Relations Manager, Tony McKinlay said “We are delighted to be participating in this national pilot program.  As a registered training provider we are excited about the holistic approach being undertaken to support electrical apprentices through their apprenticeship training.  This support will assist in increasing completion rates, therefore ultimately benefiting the industry by producing more highly skilled tradespeople.”

There has been solid industry support for the pilot with the peak employer and employee bodies for the electrotechnology industries and the electrical regulators playing a key role in steering the pilot and setting quality standards.   Industry verified benchmarks, a major feature of the pilot and developed by the industry players are evidence that the progression model is comprehensive and rigorous.

Skills Institute teaching staff will be provided professional development training to enable them to deliver blended learning teaching principles to support the tested model.  Learning activities and assessments will embrace the industry verified benchmarks, allowing apprentices to progress to the next phase when competency is achieved. 

Mr. Taylor reinforces “This pilot is about flexible delivery, allowing individuals to complete their apprenticeship when deemed competent, this could mean after or before the traditional 4 year duration.  The program is not about watering down the requirements but rather strengthening the electrical apprenticeship training program.  The focus is on safety and quality of skills application.”

This is a significant milestone marking a transformation of the electrical apprentice model, with goals to decrease the apprentice dropout rate, providing sizeable savings and efficiencies for the economy and industry as a whole.  Bob Taylor states “There is a massive demand for electricians in the future and this pilot will provide the numbers and quality of apprentices needed to combat the renowned skills shortage.”

Historically, electrical apprentice completion rates have been poor, revealing an average of 62-63% of people who start the electrical apprenticeship program, actually complete. 

The Australian Government is fully supportive of competency-based reforms of the apprenticeship system as one way it can be ensured the system meets the demand of a changing economy and the expectations of Australians.  Australians will need to be increasingly more qualified to compete for the higher paying, higher skill jobs of the future and the Australian Government, by funding projects such as this one, will ensure that the apprenticeship system is responsive and meets the needs of industry, and to encourage Australians to take up and complete their apprenticeship.

Candidates who meet the benchmark and enter the pilot program will find significant benefits, including an assigned industry mentor to help keep them on track with the apprenticeship requirements, access to blended learning resources at participating Registered Training Organisations and access to a national assessment bank, providing confidence of national consistency.

EE-Oz Training Standards are leading the pilot program, named Energise Oz, Managing Apprentice Progression.  EE-Oz is the Industry Skills Council for the Energy sector and provide training package advice, leadership and industry intelligence.

This Energy Industry Apprentice Progression Management System project is funded by the Australian Government through Australian Government Skills Connect under funds from the Accelerated Australian Apprenticeships Initiative, Australian Apprenticeships Advisers Program and Australian Apprenticeships Mentoring Program.