A RECENT report into Western Australia’s apprenticeship and traineeship situation by the WA Training Board suggests more needs to be done to encourage traineeships.
The WA Training Board TaskForce on Apprenticeship and Traineeships report, released last month, was in response to a WA Government request to find ways to increase the take up of apprenticeships and traineeships in WA.
According to the report, between 2000 and 2003 WA experienced an apprenticeship decline of almost 3 per cent.
And while traineeship numbers were up, the State’s rate of apprenticeship and traineeship participation of 2.2 per cent was well below the national average of 3.7 per cent.
The report found the prime shortages existed in the vehicle trades, metal trades, food trades, cabinetmakers, community services, the health industry and on the Burrup Peninsula.
One of the main reasons identified for the apprenticeship decline was that the system was seen to be outdated.
Key recommendations to the Government from the report included:
Modernising the apprenticeship system, including updating the Industrial Training Act 1975;
Simplifying the apprenticeship and traineeship system;
Better informing employers about the benefits of a well-trained workforce;
Improving the image of apprenticeships and traineeships;
Expanding traineeships in a managed way;
Expanding quality based traineeships;
Increasing the participation rates of specific groups and government agencies;
Developing highest levels of quality and performance in Apprenticeship and Traineeships system; and
Examining and responding to the issues affecting the employment of mature age apprentices and trainees.
