Apprentices and Trainees Blog

Skills Shortage

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 22:35:00 GMT

Author: Tony Roberts

Australia’s buoyant mining sector looks set to grow jobs and economic prosperity for the long-term. A new report from the Bureau of Resources and Energy Economics (BREE) reveals record mining investment totalling nearly $232 billion. Woodside Petroleum CEO Peter Coleman says “ More skilled workers must go west ” if Australia is to keep pace with the growing Asian demand for resources”. The retirement of the baby boomer generation is leaving huge skill gaps in Australia. In a recent KPMG survey on skilled migration 28% of business said they were feeling the effects of baby boomers departing the workforce. It is noted that shortages are already spreading to semi-skilled professions such as care givers and truck drivers.

How & When will that effect the Tasmanian workforce ?

The need to train and employ apprentices in the traditional trades has never been more evident. Skills shortage in Tasmania is likely to worsen over the next decade as the working population progressively dwindles and more people move from the state to address the skills shortage in the mining industry. All trades will feel the result as staff leave for financial rewards the mining industry can offer and for job security in the current economic climate.

A friend recently asked me to look around the trades and inform him if I knew of any small businesses where the owner was under 50 years of age. I could see his point as I reported that most of the proprietors I knew are 50 or over. Is a succession plan in place for these businesses? Who will purchase the business in the future? Is there anyone with the necessary skills coming through to be able to manage a business successfully? Who can answer these questions?

It’s a sure bet that the businesses who employ trainees & apprentices are employing the future of their industry and may not need to rely on recruiting offshore to satisfy their future skill needs.

Do we have a problem? if so what can we do about it?

Haydi in the news

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 05:00:00 GMT

Author: Kylie Petryk

"Haydi Sproule of the Kingston Pool Swimming Centre has been announced Runner Up for the Work & Training Ltd Trainee of the Year Award ......" read the full story (pg 3) in the Kingborough Chronicle.

Apprenticeship - A rewarding career

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:18:00 GMT

Author: Ben S

One of the most frequent statements I hear when talking with people thinking about their future is “I am not really sure what I want to do” It seems that younger people have so many career options that they struggle to choose the perfect one. Your perfect career could begin with a Work and Training apprenticeship. An apprenticeship in any field will reap benefits like no other position can. As an apprentice you will learn important aspects of work life that will help you in the future, even if your career path changes. Regardless of what industry you choose, future employers will always hold your trade certificate in a high regard. As you work through your apprenticeship, you will learn invaluable skills such as:

• Working within a team environment that has a wide age range of fellow employees

• Understanding different points of view and listening to people sharing important personal experiences

• The ability to relate to all aspects of a particular industry – very important if you wish to stay on and pursue a management-style role

• Gaining independence within the workplace, whilst still having support from other work colleagues

• Training other apprentices. Believe it or not, you WILL be training and assisting new apprentices as you progress through your own apprenticeship. You will want to help them out as you have experienced first-hand what feelings and emotions they will have throughout their apprenticeship

• Developing your own style of work, based on others you work with as well as on personal input and ongoing training

• The ability to adapt quickly to different situations in the workplace – e.g. changes in roles around you, people leaving or commencing and new products to learn about

• Develop friendships for life. You will meet people from other nearby businesses, locations and backgrounds, all with similar interests to your own.

I can personally relate to many of the above points after having completed an apprenticeship. There are many other areas that are “forgotten” which I will cover in future posts. To this day, I still see people I completed my training with, even though their careers may have caused them to move – in some cases overseas.

From an employer’s point of view, having completed an apprenticeship shows strong personal qualities. You will have learnt how to be resilient, reliable, confident and able to fit into a team. You will know what it’s like to experience ALL aspects of any given industry. You will understand how important working safely is and be able to give examples of almost any work-related question likely to be thrown at you.

Employers will appreciate that you have sacrificed some money in the early stages of your career, knowing that you were looking at the bigger picture.

You will also feel secure knowing that, if for some reason in the future a career decision or choice doesn’t work out, you will ALWAYS have something to fall back on. What other job title has this much depth? Think about a career path that sounds interesting, stick with it, and the results will speak for themselves.

Awards Success 2011

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 05:48:00 GMT

Author: Mark

Awards Success 2011
Work & Training held our annual awards on Friday the 28th October 2011. These awards have been held now for 16 years and are a highlight for our Apprentices and Trainees.
You could feel the excitement in the air as the finalists started to arrive, dressed for the occasion and supported by their friends and family. This was their night to shine and they knew it, these young people are at the top of their game.
Having great MCs (Nick Duigan & Andrew Hart) made the evening entertaining and judging by the smiles and leap of one of the nominees who completed a backflip off the stage, the evening was a complete success.
Our sponsors recognize the importance of the awards and have again generously donated to make this night a success.

Major Catagory Award Winners
Apprentice of the Year	Trainee of the Year	Emerging Potential
Guillaume Kafer	Jed Williamson	Calista McKinnell

"I was very surprised and totally not expecting to win. It was nice to be recognized for all the hard work I have put in."	"I was hoping to get a mention, when my name was called I was shocked and excited. I won the big prize."	"I was overwhelmed and proud to have my achievements recognized and to be picked from all of Tasmania"
Host : Macquarie Builders	Host: Aurora Energy	Host: DHHS - Oral Health

Apprentice and Trainee Award Winners
Runner up Apprentice of the Year	Runner up Trainee of the Year	Training Award
Bradley Knott	Haydi Sproule	Kate Paterson

Host: FT Guy Bodyworks	Host: Kingston Pool	Host: Baptcare - Karingal

1st Year Apprentice of the Year	2nd Year Apprentice of the Year	3rd Year Apprentice of the Year
Stefan Sydow	Dominic Crawford	Ricky Maui

Host: Jackson Motor Company	Host: Marriott Roofing	Host: Macquarie Builders

Achievement Award for Exceptional Performance Winners
Chris Hadrill	Andrew Crampsie	Joe Frankcombe

Host: Co-op Toyota	Host: DHHS - Food Services	Host: Chubb Fire & Safety

Nicole Foley		Thomas Fox
	More Photo's on Flickr Need a winner for your business? - Find out How.
Host: DHHS - Oral Health		Host: Tasmania Fire Service

Job Interviews: How important are they?

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 23:28:00 GMT

Author: Tony

I recently participated in mock interviews at a high school where students participating in a job readiness course had been supplied with a list of interview questions that they could prepare answers for.

Some had prepared well and had the prescribed answers while others decided they didn’t need to prepare and they could talk their way through.

It was obvious to me that the students who had researched the answers were also the students who had made the effort to present well and take this process seriously.

This caused me to reflect on something we see every day in our role as employers.

What are employers looking for when they interview candidates for apprenticeships?

First impressions COUNT! In many instances, employers have a feel about a candidate even before the formal part of an interview takes place - this could be many small things that form an overall big picture. Hair - is it combed or untidy? Hands - are they clean and neat? Shoes - are they clean and unscuffed?

According to Sarina Russo Job Access, people form impressions: (http://www.russo.qld.edu.au/site/SRJA/GetThatJob/Interviews/InterviewTechniques.aspx)

• 55% - from the way we dress, act and walk through the door

• 38% - from the quality of our voice, grammar and overall confidence

• 7% - from what we actually say. Are you presenting yourself in the best possible light?

Remember this could be the only chance you have to sell yourself. And this all happens before the curly interview questions start.

For more information on job interviews, read Sally’s article Surviving a Job Interview and Lorraine’s article How to dress for a recruitment agency interview.

How to survive a job interview

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 23:33:00 GMT

Author: Sally

You have made it to the interview stage, now what?

Remember, you have made it this far, so you obviously have what the employer is looking for. Now it is up to you to prove to the employer that you are the person for the job!

Things to do before your interview:

- Do your homework – and research the company

- Be prepared: have sample questions and answers in your head ready to go and practice them with someone

- Arrive 5-10 minutes prior to the appointment time.

During your interview:

- First impressions can be lasting, so take care with all details of your appearance.

- Wear moderate makeup and an appropriate dress code

- If you have shaking hands, make sure you are firm and direct – no “wet fish” handshakes.

- Sit up straight, maintain eye contact and don’t fidget

- Listen carefully to questions asked and answer truthfully

- Expand your answers, avoid just “yes” or “I don’t know”

- Smile and remember to stay calm and breathe

- Be yourself – you are unique!

After your interview:

- Thank the interviewer/s for their time and close with a handshake.

- Never give up - if you are not successful this time around, look back over what you could have done better, and perhaps even ask for feedback from the company who interviewed you. Then work with that feedback to make the next interview even better. Practice makes perfect, so don’t give up until you have what you are looking for!

Do you have any more interview tips to share?

For more information on job interviews, read Tony’s article Job Interviews: How important are they? and Lorraine’s article How to dress for a recruitment agency interview.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 23:35:00 GMT

Author: jessica

If I was told in high school that I would be a Training & Assessment Consultant, I would have shrugged my shoulders and asked ‘what on earth is that?!’ The average person in Australia will have approximately three careers in their lifetime (possibly more if you are Gen Y), but how do you know what you want to be when you grow up when you don’t even know all the types of careers out there? I decided a big fat “no” when it came to Uni – mainly because I wasn’t sure of exactly what I wanted to ‘be’, but also because I would have had the stress of juggling part time job/s, study AND assignments.

Instead, I chose a traineeship. It provided me with the opportunity to ‘earn and learn’, gaining a qualification as well as the necessary on-the-job skills that have taken me to where I am today. The beauty about being employed as a trainee or apprentice by a Group Training Organisation such as Work & Training is the support you are given during your training, helping you take the right steps towards your career. You may not know exactly what you want to do or ‘be’ now, but with an apprenticeship or traineeship you will be exposed to all areas of your chosen industry, helping you decide on a career path. If you’re still unsure, talk to a Work & Training consultant about your interests and goals and we can help set you in the right direction.

So, what do you want to be when you grow up?

Job satisfaction at Work & Training: The joys of matchmaking

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 23:35:00 GMT

Author: Andrew

Having changed from a trainer to a group coordinator role at Work & Training, I have discovered the great satisfaction and sense of achievement gained from meeting clients’ requirements for filling vacant positions - I really enjoy matching their needs with potential candidates. It can sometimes be challenging to find the right person for their workplace; however, through the programs we have in place to support new employees, such as literacy and numeracy training, counselling and pastoral care, new workers are given the best possible start. It’s really wonderful to see a jobseeker’s face light up when they’re offered a position, and the feedback from hosts when a new worker is fitting in and being a productive part of their workforce makes my day.

What do you love about YOUR job?

How to dress for a recruitment agency interview

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 23:36:00 GMT

Author: lorraine

Over the years I have interviewed hundreds of applicants, and I am always surprised by how many of these applicants dress inappropriately. It appears the applicants don’t see the agency interview as a real interview. This view is totally incorrect. You are at an agency because you want to show them that you would be a suitable employee for their clients. Ask yourself: “What is the job I want and how do people in that job dress?”

When you are called in for an interview with a recruitment agency, normally they will have received your resume in advance. Your resume and skills have been assessed; you have succeeded in passing the first hurdle. The consultant wants to know more about you and needs to see you face to face. This is NOT a general chat - it is a formal interview. As an agency, we interview applicants to find out about their work history, their skill set, availability and personality. We are looking to see how an applicant will fit into our client’s organisation - dress and attitude are a large part of the assessment process, so dress for the job you are going for.

Every interview counts, so dress to impress!

For more information on interviews, read Sally’s article Surviving a Job Interview and Tony’s article Job Interviews: How important are they?

Working on Tasmania’s Islands

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 23:38:00 GMT

Author: Julie

This photo was taken at Trousers Point on a recent trip to visit trainees at Flinders Island and Cape Barren Island. We are lucky to be exposed to such spectacular places while visiting trainees all around our beautiful state. It is an amazing experience when you go to these remote locations for the first (and second) time, particularly getting across to Cape Barren, having to climb in and out of planes as small as 3 seaters and land on gravel air strips – I admire the skill demonstrated by these pilots, thanks Gordon! Meeting members of the local communities and knowing that you are providing a service that they ordinarily find difficult to access is truly heart-warming. Why not go somewhere different for your next placement?

Where has been your favourite placement, and is there anywhere you would like to go for your next one?

Finding time in your day for what matters the most

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 23:38:00 GMT

Author: Rebecca

Have you ever wondered how some people seem to fit so much into their day and get so much done? People usually talk about them in positive terms like ‘dynamic’, ‘achiever’, ‘hard worker’ and ‘organised’. In reality, it is all about time management.

Time Management defined:

- Time management is the act of exercising conscious control over the amount of time spent on specific activities, especially to increase efficiency or productivity.

- Time management is about self-management. Our definition of time management highlights its importance for your personal productivity.

- Generally, people underestimate the length of any task by two-thirds. Therefore, when they write a to-do list, they set themselves up for failure – and for frantic times filled with stress (Domonique Bertolucci, Your Best Life, Hodder Australia).

- Time is a non-renewable resource, equally available to us all to squander or spend wisely (Kris Cole, Supervision, Prentice Hall).

Do you aspire to be one of those people who can juggle all their tasks and still come out ahead of the pack gleaming and willing to take on more? Well, you can.

How?

Knowing yourself is the essential first step on the path to successful time management. The workplace is filled with distractions and competing objectives, so it is easy to feel out of control and always behind the 8 ball.

Working out what is urgent and what is important is one of the steps in effective time management. Having a clearly defined job role is a good reference point for starting to work out how you can implement good time management strategies.

Having a clear understanding of your organisation’s vision and values can also help you to sort the important from the urgent.

Think about how you would like your work life to be, what your goals and ambitions are, and how you would really like your day to run. Don’t just aspire to be one of those people others talk about – you can be that person if you follow these few helpful techniques.