Apprenticeships in another 17 trades will be reduced from four to three-and-a-half years under changes announced by the State Government today.
Apprenticeships in another 17 trades will be slashed from four to three-and-a-half years under changes announced by the State Government today.
Training minister Ljiljanna Ravlich said apprentices would receive their qualifications when they had attained the necessary skills, rather than when they had completed their time.
"The competency based system means apprentices can now get a trade certificate when they can do the job rather than based on how long they have spent in training," she said.
The changes to apprenticeships in furnishing, horticulture, butchering, hospitality and hairdressing follow major reforms in the residential housing, general construction, metal trade and automotive sectors.
The full text of an announcement from the Minister's office is pasted below
Apprentice chefs, butchers and hairdressers are among the latest trades to have their training durations reduced, under the biggest changes to the apprenticeship system in nearly a hundred years.
This follows major reforms to residential housing, general construction, automotive and metal trade apprenticeships.
Minister for Education and Training Ljiljanna Ravlich said apprentices in another 17 trades would now be able to complete their qualifications faster under major new changes announced by the State Government today.
At the opening of the tenth annual Career Choices Expo, Ms Ravlich said six industry working groups set up under the State Government's Skills Formation Taskforce had recommended the shorter terms.
"Most trades will be reduced from four years to three or three-and-a-half years and apprentices will be able to receive their qualifications when they have the necessary skills rather than when their time has been served," Ms Ravlich said.
"The competency based system means apprentices can now get a trade certificate when they can do the job rather than based on how long they have spent in training."
The changes are part of the State Government's commitment to reforming the training sector to meet Western Australia's continuing demand for skilled workers.
"Changes to apprenticeships in furnishing, horticulture, butchering, hospitality and hairdressing follow the introduction of two and three year terms in the residential building and baking industries," Ms Ravlich said.
"Agreement has previously been reached to reduce apprenticeships in automotive and metal trades to three-and-a-half years."
Ms Ravlich said the reforms were based on feedback from industry and 15 public forums organised by the Taskforce in metropolitan and regional Western Australia.
"The industry working groups have also recommended expanding the very successful School Apprenticeship Link program and introducing school-based apprenticeship programs in the areas of hairdressing, meat retailing and horticulture so secondary students can get a head start on their career," Ms Ravlich said.
Western Australia now has more than 30,000 apprentices in training.
The Department of Education and Training's Career Choices Expo at Burswood Dome from August 4 to 6 is expected to attract more than 20,000 visitors keen to gain first hand information about careers, further education and training.
"The Expo brings into focus the breadth of the system and the wonderful array of opportunities available throughout Western Australia," Ms Ravlich said.
"With more than 40 Try-a-Trade activities, visitors can have a go at a range of exciting potential careers in everything from traditional trades such as bricklaying, to emerging industries such as digital animation."
