At Skillset, we’re proud to support apprentices and trainees with tailored mentoring that helps them stay engaged, build confidence, and succeed in their training. Through our Mentor Plus program, more than 1,400 apprentices and trainees across the Central West, Far West, Orana, New England and Riverina regions of NSW received specialist support designed to lift retention and completion outcomes.
Mentor Plus formed part of the Australian Government’s Industry Specialist Mentoring for Australian Apprentices (ISMAA) program, funded by the Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business. ISMAA provides intensive support to apprentices in industries experiencing structural change, backing over 40,000 apprentices nationally in their first two years of training.
Across regional NSW, 1,456 mining and construction apprentices and trainees were mentored through Mentor Plus, with over 95% retained in their first and second year of training. This is a strong result against national trends—NCVER data shows completion rates for apprentices and trainees who commenced in 2014 decreased to 56.7%.
Mentoring focused on removing barriers to learning and participation. For example, electrical and carpentry apprentices experiencing challenges with theory due to literacy and numeracy needs were linked to additional support through TAFE NSW, including after-hours tutoring. With the right help at the right time, these apprentices progressed confidently to the next stage of their training.
Collaboration was central to the program’s success. Working alongside TAFE NSW enabled coordinated support for students, connecting classroom learning with real-world mentoring and wraparound services.
Skillset continues to back people across western NSW with apprenticeships, traineeships and mentoring that create pathways to work. If you’re ready to take the next step, explore current opportunities on the Skillset Job Vacancies page.
SkillForce500: Driving Jobs and Skills Across Regional NSW
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Skillset would like to acknowledge and pay respect to the traditional custodians of the lands on which we work.We are honoured to be on the ancestral lands of those whose cultures are among the oldest living cultures in human history. We pay respect to the Elders, past, present and to the younger generation of the community who will be the future leaders in years to come.