Skillset is the largest employer of Apprentices and Trainees in the Central West.
Skillset has been recruiting and supporting apprentices and trainees through to completion for over 41 years. Our goal is to maximise the success of the training for apprentices and trainees, and provide skills employees to mentor our next generation of workers to meet the business needs of the future.
Three reasons for businesses to hire an apprentice or trainee.
1. Find the right person for your business
Skillset can help you find apprentices and trainees in a tight market where candidates are hard to find.
2. Higher completion rates
Skillset achieves an 81% completion rate for apprentices and trainees compared to 55% when directly employed.
3. Address your skills shortages
Sourcing the right people for your business can be time consuming, leave your recruitment needs to Skillset.
What is Skillset to an Apprentice or Trainee?
Apprentices and Trainees are employed by Skillset and hosted out to businesses, called Host Employers. As the legal employer, Skillset will manage all employer responsibilities including payroll, Award wage information, tax deductions, Group Certificates (Payment Summaries), Worker’s Compensation, superannuation, annual leave, sick leave and public holidays.
Apprentices and Trainees will be allocated a dedicated Service Consultant who will visit you periodically at your workplace over the course of your Apprenticeship or Traineeship.
Apprentice and Trainee Responsibilities
- Make a commitment to fulfil work responsibilities.
- Make a commitment to study your vocational training to the best of your ability.
- Obey any lawful instructions given to you by Skillset and your Host Company.
- Let Skillset know if you are experiencing difficulty.
The Apprenticeship or Traineeship will consist of two parts:
- Practical ‘on the job’ training through working with your Host Company
- Structured training through a Registered Training Organisation (such as TAFE).
The Role of Skillset
Skillset provides Host Employers with professional workforce support services to develop the skills development required to achieve a market-leading competitive advantage.
Our key services include:
- Tailored recruitment
- Training support
- Performance management
- Handling of legislative requirements
- Workers compensation insurance and hand back safety net
- Payroll administration
- Ongoing mentor support
Apprentice and Trainee Host Employer and Supervisor Responsibilities
Host supervisors play a key role in the success of apprenticeships and traineeships. Appropriate supervision is a legal requirement under the industrial arrangements, the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act, 2001 and the training contract. As a supervisor of an apprentice or trainee, you will act as a role model and a coach. The apprentice or trainee with come to yourself for guidance and training on how to complete their role.
The role of the supervisor is to:
- Act as mentor and be a role model.
- Provide a safe and supportive workplace environment.
- Be familiar with the Training Plan and related training provided by the Registered Training Organization (RTO) with workplace tasks
- Give clear and consistent instructions on work tasks
- Guide and support
- Monitor and keep records of progress
- Provide feedback and encouragement
- Work closely with the Skillset Consultant for training and mentoring against the training plan.
Recruitment
Our recruitment processes will provide you with the best available candidate to meet the needs of your business. When sourcing candidates, Skillset Workforce adheres to a results focused and proven Recruitment Methodology tailored to your workforce requirements. Our process includes size key stages and dedicated after service monitoring:
- Identify
- Source
- Qualify
- Present
- Place
- Monitor
Apprentice and Trainee Support
Our support involves pastoral care and mentoring via tailoring Supervision Plans to optimise their chances of success. It involves regular supervision meetings, monitoring of both on the job and off-the-job training performance, and assisting host employers to resolve work performance issues. Each apprentice or trainee will have a dedicated Workforce Consultant responsible for supporting the apprentice or trainee through the course of their training to completion. Through our intensive mentoring and support, Skillset achieves a 81% completion rate for Apprentices and Trainees in comparison to 55% for directly employed apprentices and trainees.
Vocational Training Compliance
Skillset as the legal employer enters into a formal Training Contract with the apprentice or trainee, and ensures the Contract is registered with State Training Services. Skillset utilises the services of MEGT as our chosen ‘Apprentice Network Provider’ (APN) in establishing the Training Contract. Skillset works with the designated RTO to develop the Training Plan, and liaises with Host Employer to ensure that the competencies that make up the qualification are most relevant to the role undertaken.
Host Advice and Support
The Skillset dedicated team will engage with the Host employer on a regular basis to provide advice in relation to the apprentice and/or trainee’s performance, behaviour, and best supervision practices to support success.
Skillset also offers:
- WHS and Injury Management.
- Human Resources and Industrial Relations.
- Finance and Payroll Services.
Workplace Health and Safety Information
Skillset recognises that Health, Safety and Environment and its people are its highest priority. Through the involvement, commitment and education of all people, a reduction of injuries and accidents continues to be achieved. Safety is an integral part of everything we do here at Skillset. The success of the organisation and the wellbeing of our employees depend very largely on co-operation, trust and respect between all staff, and to promote this, the Handbook contains our safety, health and environmental requirements with regards to our commitment to you as your employer and your responsibilities as an employee. The Health and Safety of all employees is paramount and these requirements are designed to help you managed risk, whether you are in the office or on work site.
Skillset would like to acknowledge and pay respect to the traditional custodians of the lands on which we work.