In 2010, the Australian Government invited state and territory governments to submit proposals for a share of $20 million in funding to boost the availability of pre-apprenticeship training under the Increased Pre-Apprenticeship Training Opportunities component of the Apprentice Kickstart measure. Under this Initiative, funding was made available for states and territories to develop and manage programs and projects which increase the number of pre-apprenticeship training opportunities in their jurisdictions. The aim of the Initiative was to increase the number of pre-apprenticeship training places available to young people in response to the global economic downturn.
Pre-apprenticeship training is training that is designed and intended to lead into an Australian Apprenticeship. This training generally involves both theoretical and work experience components to prepare individuals for the Australian Apprenticeship they intend to pursue. Pre-apprenticeship training is frequently targeted at traditional trades and has a greater focus on industry specific skills over general employability skills.
The Kickstart Pre-Apprenticeship Initiative was intended to:
Kickstart Pre-Apprenticeship projects have been rolled out across the country and commencements in pre-apprenticeship training have exceeded initial targets, with nearly 3,000 individuals commencing to date. A further 2,250 individuals are expected to have been assisted through additional support in Victoria by the end of 2011. Some projects have recently been completed and have reported positive post training outcomes, such as participants gaining Australian Apprenticeships or going on to other further training and employment. The remaining projects will be completed over the next 6-12 months.
A taste of some of the positive outcomes achieved so far by the Kickstart Pre-Apprenticeships Initiative....
On Thursday 7 July 2011, a graduation ceremony was held at the Bimbari Youth Justice Centre in Canberra. In conjunction with the ACT Government, the CITEA have been running a Kickstart Pre-Apprenticeship course at the Youth Justice Centre in construction pathways. As part of their training, participants built a BBQ and picnic area within the grounds.
Of the twelve individuals who commenced this project, eight completed a Certificate II with the others all obtaining units of competency. Four of these individuals have now been offered Australian Apprenticeships in Brick and Block-laying.
The Skills Institute Kickstart program participants have been given the opportunity to gain a Certificate II in General Construction, as well as providing a significant community benefit to their local region.
The Skills Institute initiated a successful partnership with City Mission and the Rotary Club where Kickstart participants worked on the concrete works of a garage for an accommodation facility that supports young people wanting a fresh start in life.
Through the partnership, City Mission and the Rotary Club provided the opportunity and the concreting materials, whilst participants gained practical work experience by providing the labour to complete the works. Participants not only gained practical skills and a qualification but were also able to see a tangible and valuable outcome from their efforts.
The aim of The Skills Institute Kickstart Pre-Apprenticeship Program is to build workforce capability and opportunities for employment in the trades and selected industries through pre-apprenticeship training.
A group of students from Hunter TAFE NSW recently graduated from a meat retailer’s course which was funded under the Kickstart Pre-Apprenticeships Initiative. The Butchery course was designed to get young people into the workforce which is why two of the total ten weeks of the course were spent doing work experience in the industry. There were a total of twelve commencements in this course and on completion seven young people were offered Australian Apprenticeships in Butchery. It is great to know that this training has been successful in getting young people into an industry that is in skill shortage.
A 19 year old individual completed an eight week course under the Kickstart Pre-Apprenticeship Program in which he excelled and secured an Australian Apprenticeship. He now works as a first year light vehicle apprentice mechanic and has plans to one day own his own mechanic business.
The Kickstart Pre-Apprenticeship course helped him to go from being unsure about his options and feeling unmotivated, to being in an industry that he loves and that he sees a future for himself in.
The Queensland Department of Education and Training manages one project under the Apprentice Kickstart: Increased Pre-Apprenticeship Training Opportunities initiative.
The aim of this project is to skill prospective Australian Apprentices by providing pre-apprenticeship training places in new, customised industry training models to assist participants to transition into their Australian Apprenticeship quickly by providing industry specific training and appropriate credit arrangements upon articulation into an Australian Apprenticeship.
The New South Wales Department of Education and Training manages four projects under the Apprentice Kickstart: Increased Pre-Apprenticeship Training Opportunities initiative.
The aim of these projects is to increase the commencement and completion rates of Australian Apprenticeships in identified trade skill shortage occupations through providing more pre-apprenticeship opportunities. The four regions where projects will operate are New England & North Coast, Hunter and Central Coast, Illawarra, and Western Sydney.
The Australian Capital Territory Department of Education and Training manages two projects under the Apprentice Kickstart: Increased Pre-Apprenticeship Training Opportunities initiative.
The aim of the Construction Industry Training and Employment Association (CITEA) Kickstart Project is to provide young people at risk, Indigenous Australians, young offenders and other disadvantaged groups contextualised pre-apprenticeship training in the Building and Construction Industry.
The aim of the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) Kickstart Project is to prepare participants to take up an Australian Apprenticeship in the Building and Construction Industry. Once completed, training articulates directly into Certificate III programs and will allow participants to reduce their apprenticeship training by six months.
The Tasmanian Department of Education and Skills manages two projects under the Apprentice Kickstart: Increased Pre-Apprenticeship Training Opportunities initiative.
The aim of the Tasmanian Polytechnic Kickstart Pre-Apprenticeship Program is to expand pre-apprenticeship opportunities for young people including dedicated places for groups that are under-represented in training including Indigenous Australians, students from non-English speaking backgrounds, students with a disability and young parents.
The aim of The Skills Institute Pre-Apprenticeship Program is to build the workforce capability and opportunities for employment in the trades and selected industries through pre-apprenticeship training.
The South Australia Department of Further Education, Employment, Science & Technology manages one project under the Apprentice Kickstart: Increased Pre-Apprenticeship Training Opportunities initiative.
The aim of this project is to build upon a currently existing model of pre-apprenticeship training to better prepare individuals for, and assist in accelerating completion of, an Australian Apprenticeship in their chosen field.
The Western Australia Department of Education and Training manages one project under the Apprentice Kickstart: Increased Pre-Apprenticeship Training Opportunities initiative.
The aim of this project is to increase the number of pre-apprenticeship training opportunities in relevant skills shortage areas in Western Australia and to redevelop, expand and manage a best practice model for pre-apprenticeship training. Students who successfully complete their pre-apprenticeship will receive a mandatory six months off the nominal term of an Australian Apprenticeship.
The Northern Territory Department of Education & Training managed one project under the Apprentice Kickstart: Increased Pre-Apprenticeship Training Opportunities initiative.
The aim of this project was to facilitate a successful and effective pre-apprenticeship course in order to better prepare school leavers and disadvantaged groups for an Australian Apprenticeship.
The Victorian Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development manages one project under the Apprentice Kickstart: Increased Pre-Apprenticeship Training Opportunities initiative.
The project was the extension of the Victorian Apprenticeships Connect initiative. Apprenticeships Connect 2011 aims to meet employer demand for work-ready apprentices by partnering TAFE Institutes, Group Training Organisations and Registered Training Organisations to prepare, match and place 2,250 students completing trades skills shortage pre-apprenticeship programs into apprenticeships.