Leave our apprenticeship system alone

Changing the apprenticeship system so electrical apprentices complete all of their training in a classroom is a concept the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) opposes. This is known as ‘institutional training’. It is not in the best interests of the apprentice or our industry.

When the former Federal Minister for Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, and Social Inclusion, the Hon Simon Crean MP, announced on 16 July 2010 the establishment of an expert panel to advise the government on reform options for the Australian Apprenticeships systems, I had some initial reservations.

The Apprenticeships for the 21st Century Panel will work to support the government’s broader vocational education and training reforms to deliver greater efficiency, accessibility and transparency for the $6.4 billion sector. This includes establishing an independent National VET Regulator and Standards Council.

The panel is part of the $661 million Skills for Sustainable Growth Package to target skills shortages over the next four years. This includes almost $20 million to support a shift from a ‘time-served apprenticeship’ model to a competency-based system.

For some time there has been a push from some sectors, including parts of the building industry, to reduce the term of traditional apprenticeships and have an accelerated program to complete apprenticeships in less time. This has some obvious curriculum implications, but of concern to NECA is changing the traditional apprenticeship model to ‘institutional training’, which will make apprenticeships more like university degrees, where all the learning is completed in classrooms. Theory components are essential, but they’re best learned in conjunction with the practical aspects of the current electrical apprenticeship model.

Some RTOs have already received grants from the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations to develop training methods to reduce the length of apprenticeships by up to 24 months - a change that is of concern to NECA.

Electrical apprentices currently have the support of electrical contractors because they’re able to contribute to the business while receiving the much-needed mentoring and guidance from those more experienced in the industry. Fourth-year apprentices are valuable assets because they’ve learned their trade and contribute to the levels of skilled workers in our industry.

If the government changed the current apprenticeship system and a new-look electrical apprentice walked out of an RTO after a two-year period holding all the relevant certifications but no on-the-job training, I doubt whether contractors would see this as helpful to their business. With workplace health and safety obligations and workplace relations requirements, apprentices with no practical skills would be a liability to a contractor and to the safety of the community.

NECA is engaging with the government so that the balance that must be adhered to for industry-supported outcomes is understood. NECA is also working closely with the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) so our industry’s position on changes to the apprenticeship system is also represented by the peak business and employer group in its dealings in Canberra.

It’s inevitable with new teaching techniques and learning aids that the length of apprenticeships in some industries can be reduced and taught entirely in classrooms.

However, the government must be careful that, by remodelling the current apprenticeship system to assist in reducing skill shortages, they don’t create a bigger problem by mass-producing apprentices that aren’t appropriately trained or valued by employers.

No one wants to see young apprentices finish their training and not be employed because of a lack of on-the-job experience.

Institutional training won’t serve the electrical industry well and NECA will continue to oppose this new format of apprenticeships.

* James Tinslay is CEO of NECA, the peak industry group for electrical and communication contractors in Australia - a position he has held for the past three years. Prior to that, he was CEO of NECA’s NSW chapter for 19 years. Tinslay has worked in the electrical industry for 30 years and has advocated and represented electrical contractors for most of that time.