The Construction Apprenticeship Mentoring Scheme is funded by

the Australian Government Department of Industry through the

Australian Apprenticeships Mentoring Package

BUILDING APPRENTICESHIPS IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA

A guide for builders and sub-contractors on how to employ an Australian Apprentice

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Master Builders believes it is in the interests of builders and sub-contractors to invest in our industry’s future by taking on and training apprentices and trainees. This publication is an easy guide to the requirements for employing an apprentice or trainee for either a part or the whole of their apprenticeship. All apprenticeships and traineeships can be undertaken on a full-time basis and most can also be part-time. As an employer you will need to select which apprenticeship or traineeship would best suit your business needs. For the full list of apprenticeships and traineeships available and their duration go to: http://stars.dtwd.wa.gov.au/corpsys/ApprentiCentre/Apprenticeships.pdf http://stars.dtwd.wa.gov.au/corpsys/ApprentiCentre/Traineeships.pdf

There are many options for employers to take on an apprentice ranging from being a host employer for just a few short weeks right through to employing an apprentice for the duration of their apprenticeship.

TAKING ON AN APPRENTICE

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What does it cost to employ an Australian Apprentice? Australian Apprentices are usually employed under a federal or state award or agreement. They are paid a wage which varies depending on the number of years of school they completed, which year of their training they are in, the type of Australian Apprenticeship they are doing and the industry or occupation. Australian Apprentices have the same rights to superannuation, workers’ compensation and other entitlements as all other workers in Australia. Australian Apprentices are exempt from payroll tax. If employed under a State award you can contact Wageline on 1300 655 266 and confirm the rate of pay and conditions of employment. www.commerce.wa.gov.au/LabourRelations/

If employed under a Federal Award you can contact Fair Work Australia on 13 13 94 and confirm the rate of pay and conditions of employment. www.fwc.gov.au/

Alternatively if you are a member of Master Builders WA you can contact Kim Richardson on 9476 9800 for industrial relations advice.

TAKING ON AN APPRENTICE

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TAKING ON AN APPRENTICE

There are 2 main ways that you as a builder or sub-contractor can employ an apprentice. These are Direct Indenture or become a host through a Group Training Organisation. Both of these options have advantages for both the employer and the apprentice. DIRECT INDENTURE is where you will employ the Australian Apprentice on a full-time basis for the entirety of their apprentice-ship, up to 4 years depending on the qualification. The advantages for this are: You train the apprentice to your business requirements You are investing in the future of the industry Grow your workforce for the future Can be full-time, part-time or school-based, depending on

what suits your business needs Nationally recognised qualifications and competencies A range of financial incentives for eligible employers. If you employ an apprentice through direct indenture or a Group Training Organisation, the Construction Training Fund can pro-vide grants of up to $19,000 to help reduce the cost of training. For further details, contact the Construction Training Fund on 08 9244 0100 or http://bcitf.org

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TAKING ON AN APPRENTICE

If you decide that you may not have enough long term work or you will not be able to expose the apprentice to all aspects of the trade, or you do not want the administrative responsibilities, then you can HOST an Australian Apprentice through a Group Training Organisation. (GTO) The advantages for this are: You are not locked in for the full duration of the apprentice-

ship term All taxes, insurances and administration are taken care of,

including holiday pay, sick leave and superannuation No advertising to fill the position Provide PPE to the apprentice The GTO will provide the mentoring and pastoral

care involved in helping a young person make the transition from school to work allowing you to concentrate on training the apprentice and running your business

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TAKING ON AN APPRENTICE

If you decide to directly indenture an Australian Apprentice there are some simple steps that you will need to follow.

Step 1 – Finding an Apprentice or Trainee To find young people interested in building and construction industry apprenticeships or traineeships: Advertise on the ApprentiCentre Jobs Board Check out the website:www.apprenticentre.wa.gov.au Phone: 13 19 54 Contact your local secondary school careers teacher. Contact your local Registered Training Organisation as

they may be running a pre-apprenticeship course and you will be able to hand pick your future apprentice.

Advertise in the newspaper. Contact your local Job Services Australia provider on 13 62 68 Contact the Australian Brick & Blocklaying Training

Foundation on 1300 664 496 for bricklayers. TIP: When interviewing prospective apprentices or trainees: Explain your expectations. Provide information on industry working hours, conditions,

the nature and location of the work.

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TAKING ON AN APPRENTICE

Step 2 – Taking on an Apprentice or Trainee When you have a suitable recruit you will need to sign a Training Contract for a specified term. This can be organised, at no cost, through any of the following

Australian Apprenticeship Centres: CCI Apprenticeship Solutions (Perth metro & regional WA)

Phone: 1800 224 224 MEGT (Australia) Ltd (Perth Metro)

Phone: 13 MEGT (13 63 48) The Apprentice and Traineeship Company

(South West Regional WA) Phone: 1800 627 188

AMA Services Ltd. (Perth Metro) Phone 92733042

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TAKING ON AN APPRENTICE

Step 3 – Developing a Training Plan Part of your Training Contract Obligation is to be involved with the Registered Training Organisation (RTO) in developing a Training Plan. This is not difficult, in fact the RTO will meet with you and talk you through the whole process. This is where you, the apprentice and the RTO can select when and where the apprentice goes to undertake their training and also the elective units that they choose for their qualification. ApprentiCentre can provide more advice and assistance on training options. Website: www.apprenticentre.wa.gov.au Phone: 13 19 54 Most learning opportunities will be out on site and you will need to provide appropriate training and supervision to give your apprentice or trainee the opportunity to learn the skills they re-quire to complete their apprenticeship or traineeship and be-come competent workers. Your RTO is responsible for developing a training plan with you, providing training and assessment and issuing the apprentice’s or trainee’s qualification.

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TAKING ON AN APPRENTICE

Step 4 – Obtaining Financial Incentives Various incentives help to cover the cost of your apprentice. There are numerous Government incentives that are continually updated. To view the latest Government incentives visit:

www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au/employer-incentives

Construction Training Fund View the latest incentives at www.bcitf.org

Australian Brick and Blocklaying Training Foundation View the latest incentives at www.becomeabricklayer.com.au

You are exempt from payroll tax on apprentice wages. For more information contact Department of Treasury and Finance on 9262 1300 or www.finance.wa.gov.au/cms/uploadedFiles/_State_Revenue/Pay-roll_Tax/Payroll_Tax_Fact_Sheet_-_General_Information.pdf

TIP: Apprentices can apply for incentives and training subsidies. Contact your Australian Apprenticeships Centre for more details.

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There is a probationary period which can vary from 1 month to 3 months. It is usually is one month for every year of the apprenticeship or traineeship. At any time during this period you or the apprentice can terminate the employment. Conditions of employment for apprentices should be set out concisely in writing. In addition to wages, apprentices are also entitled to 9.25 % superannuation and registration with MyLeave, the Construction Industry Long Service Leave Scheme. For more details contact MyLeave on 9476 5400 www.myleave.wa.gov.au/

Prior to working on-site all apprentices are required to undertake mandatory construction induction training to obtain a “whitecard”. The Construction Training Fund offers a subsidy to eligible persons undertaking this training. Contact the Master Builders Association on 9441 8000 for dates of upcoming whitecard courses. We also have an online option.

TAKING ON AN APPRENTICE

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TAKING ON AN APPRENTICE

Stage 5 – Finishing the Job – Your Qualified Tradesperson This process is also simple. When you believe the apprentice possesses the minimum skills of a tradesman, you can contact the RTO. Providing all the RTO training is complete, you can request a "Completion Agreement" and complete the apprenticeship early. The RTO issues the apprentice’s or trainee’s qualification. You apply to your Australian Apprenticeships Centre, ABBTF and Construction Training Fund for your final incentive payments. Give yourself a pat on the back. You have successfully invested in the future of the industry. Celebrate with your new tradesperson and don’t forget the good experience that you have just had and start to look for your next apprentice.

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Group Training Organisations (GTO’s) If you prefer not to employ an apprentice directly because you only need an apprentice for a short period, or you are not able to provide training for all aspects of an apprenticeship, then using a Group Training Organisation may be for you. This is also a good option for those who are busy, or don’t want to handle much administration. Group Training Organisations employ apprentices and make them available to employers for long and short term projects. The Group Training Organisation does the payroll including payment of all wages and entitlements including superannuation, annual leave and sick leave and provides workers compensation cover. Construction Training Fund subsidies are passed onto GTO’s to assist in the reduction of costs associated with employing an apprentice in the building and construction industry. The length of the apprentice or trainee placement can be flexible to suit your changing business needs. GTO’s can offer apprentices with mixed experience levels from 1st, 2nd, 3rd to 4th year. They can be full-time, part-time or school-based, depending on what suits your business. The apprentice or trainee will receive ongoing support in work placement and training throughout their apprenticeship.

TAKING ON AN APPRENTICE

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GTO’s that are members of Master Builders Western Australia: MEGT

Phone: 1300 365 022 Skill Hire Pty Ltd

Phone: 9376 2800

ABN Training Phone: 9200 4500

The Apprentice & Traineeship Company (Group Training South West Inc)

Phone: Perth 9204 4566 Bunbury 9796 6111 Mandurah 9586 9000

Apprentice & Traineeship Co (Midwest Group Inc) Phone: 9923 1400

M P A Skills (Plumbers and Painters) Phone: 9471 6600

ATC Work Smart (Great southern and Esperance) Phone 9841 7740

Kimberley Group Training Inc Phone: 08 9192 8877

The West Australian Group Training Scheme

Phone: 9408 0025

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TAKING ON AN APPRENTICE

The following checklist sets out the training responsibilities expected of employers taking on an Australian Apprentice: Establish & maintain a good working relationship with the

apprentice or trainee Maintain a strong focus on OH&S standards Give clear instructions Understand and carry out the requirements as set out in the

training plan of the Apprenticeship Agreement Know when the apprentice is due for RTO training Develop a relationship with the RTO Comply with the your employment obligations, including

wages, superannuation & pay slips Be a role model and a leader Provide feedback to the RTO regarding progress Encourage apprenticeship completion Provide adequate onsite training, including time on the tools Make contact with the appropriate authorities if the apprenticeship becomes in any way ‘at risk’

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MASTER BUILDERS AWARDS

The Master Builders celebrates achievements in the building and construction industry through a range of apprentice awards. These awards are presented throughout the year in Perth and major regional centres. Whilst you are an apprentice you can be nominated by your employer in a number of categories that are decided each year. Applicants are assessed on their overall standard of achievement and potential, taking all the information provided in the nomination form into consideration. Master Builders Apprentice Awards are prestigious events and can provide you with great networking opportunities. Think about nominating your apprentice into the Master Build-ers Western Australia Apprentice Awards. For more information contact Training on 9441 8000. Employers who are members of Master Builders and employ apprentices are recognised for their efforts by a listing on the Master Builders Website. www.mbawa.com/honour-roll/ Information contained in this booklet is correct as at December 2013

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T: 9441 8000 F: 9441 8001 E: alinkwa@mbawa.com W: www.alinkwa.org.au

CONTACT DETAILS

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