TALK ABOUT IT: THE AUSTRALIAN APPRENTICES ROUNDTABLE

Our best information on the attitudes of Australians to traditional trades, many of which are in industries experiencing skills shortages, comes from Australian Apprentices themselves.

We know some people think that trades may be dirty, dangerous and difficult.  But in reality, Australians who take up trades enjoy strong prospects of lucrative, long term, challenging and independent careers.

In 2005, the Australian Government is hosting a Roundtable discussion between Australian Apprentices and the Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Dr Brendan Nelson MP and the Minister for Vocational and Technical Education, the Hon Gary Hardgrave MP.

This is the first formal event of its kind, giving political and policy decision makers the opportunity to hear directly from those participating in the training system and providing an ideal opportunity for Australian Apprentices to tell the Government what attracts and keeps them in Australian Apprenticeships in skill shortage areas.

Membership of the Roundtable

The Roundtable consists of 18 current and recently completed Australian Apprentices from industries or occupations where skills needs have been identified, particularly in the traditional trades.  Participants have been drawn from each State and Territory, from metropolitan, regional and rural areas and from Indigenous and culturally diverse backgrounds. 

Process

Roundtable members will meet twice a year for two years. 

The first Roundtable meeting was held with policy advisors in July 2005 . 

Following the first meeting Roundtable participants are exploring five projects :

• financial and other incentives for people to start an Australian Apprenticeship and for employers to take on Australian Apprentices;
• effective information about Australian Apprenticeships for Careers Advisors;
• standardising the quality of off-the-job training from RTOs – with particular focus on motor mechanic and agriculture training;
• duration of Australian Apprenticeships; and
• promotion and marketing of Australian Apprenticeships - including improving the perception and benefits of Australian Apprenticeships.

Roundtable members will return to Canberra in November to present the findings/recommendations of their reports to Minister’s Nelson and Hardgrave.