Victorian Apprenticeship Taskforce Report – First Report 

Introduction 

The issue of safety and fairness has recently led to the establishment of the Apprenticeship Taskforce by the Victorian Government. In response to increasing evidence of harm from bullying, harassment, unsafe workplaces, wage theft, and recent fatalities, the task force has released their first report. The report calls for improvements in safeguarding, including support arrangements, legislative changes, and additional measures to improve retention and completion rates. 

Recommendations Overview 

The report contains sixteen recommendations. Some of these recommendations relate to the management of the apprenticeship system and streamlining these processes, including the collection of data about apprentices which is currently disjointed and cumbersome. The primary recommendation is to improve collaboration between state and federal apprentice management systems. 

Central Help Desk 

A central help desk has been established as a first point of contact for both apprentices and employers. It will be managed by a triage system with a case management focus for serious issues such as training release, safety, and underpayment of wages. To further support apprentices, improvements in collaboration are needed to reduce duplication in the roles and functions of support providers. Up to three apprentice support networks exist, and while they aim to streamline the apprentice experience, overlapping responsibilities may have the opposite effect. 

Educational Tools and Gender Equity 

The report also recommends providing better educational tools at the start of an apprenticeship to ensure that apprentices know their rights, responsibilities, and expectations. It also suggests assisting females who want to undertake an apprenticeship by establishing a “gender equity list”. This list will work towards a recognition program that includes an assessment and audit system. 

Financial Burden 

Recommendations for addressing the financial burden on apprentices were also included. It is suggested that the State government advocate to the Federal Government to increase wages and provide appropriate support for employers through engagement in the current review of the Apprenticeship Incentive Scheme. Improvements in awards standardisation, providing a Commonwealth Healthcare Card, and enhancing rental support are also proposed. Currently, apprentices pay training fees and are reimbursed by their employer after a period, but this is not always feasible due to low wages or non-compliance by some employers. 

Supply of Trade Teachers 

The supply of trade teachers needs urgent attention. Strategies should be developed through collaboration between industry, unions, and training providers to increase the supply. One suggestion is for employers to support the development of qualified trainers by allowing tradespeople to gain teaching experience through short secondments. Other suggestions include encouraging qualified tradespeople to commence training qualifications and offering opportunities for part-time teaching. 

Support for Final Year Apprentices 

It is also recommended that apprentices in their final year be provided with support to access small business skills and guidance on how to transition into future roles. 

Regulatory Reform 

To implement all these recommendations, the taskforce suggests regulatory reform starting with legislative updates to the Education and Training Reform Act. This includes providing clarity around key terms in the Act and introducing new powers to enforce compliance and conduct investigations at shared worksites. These steps aim to improve conditions for apprentices and enable them to safely complete their training with respect and dignity.