As the economy regains its strength from the impacts of the GFC, the Group Training Association of QLD and Northern Territory pushes forward with a new and innovative apprentice service. The Trade Apprentices Project is an industry initiative operating in partnership with the Queensland Government to manage and maintain the state register of out of trade apprentices. The Project was created to assist out of trade apprentices that find themselves unemployed due to industry downturn.

The Trade Apprentice register goes one step further than simply maintaining a register of names it provides a suite of services that assist out of traders in finding new employment in their apprenticeships.  Trade Apprentices seeks to interview all out of trade apprentices to ascertain where they are in their apprenticeship and where they want to go. 

The team also profiles apprentices for the Trade Apprentices website www.tradeapprentices.com.au where industry and employers can view their apprenticeship details.  The website opens the door to hundreds of prospective employers increasing their chances of being re-employed, a tool that has not been used in QLD before for OOT Apprentices.

 Dave Mitchell – Executive Officer (GTAQNT)

Over the course of the last 6 months, the Trade Apprentices team has been successful in helping a large number of apprentices re-engage into fulltime employment across a range of industry areas.  Another success that the project has achieved has been to create partnering relationships with different areas of the VET industry and industry groups. This networking has resulted in job outcomes for apprentices through both Group Training arrangements and direct to industry.

The Trade Apprentices project has grown quickly with in excess of 800 out of trade apprentices contacting the team. This figure is unfortunately expected to grow to over a 1000 in the next 3 months.

Group Training has long associated itself with out of trade apprentices in providing job opportunities, support and referrals to training providers. The Trade Apprentice Project aims to extend that Group Training expertise to assist the apprentices wherever possible, at the same time helping Group Training and Industry to retain skills for the future.

 For further information on the project please contact Ed Given,  0428 479 086 or visit the GTAQNT website www.gtaqnt.net.au