Pre-apprenticeship courses ticket to career in growth industries

With news that the federal government is investing more than $112 million for young Australians to pursue careers in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) industries, TAFE Queensland SkillsTech is offering reduced fees across these trade areas for pre-apprenticeship courses.

According to the PwC STEM Report ‘A smart move’, an estimated 75% of jobs in the fastest-growing industries require workers skilled in STEM.

The pre-apprenticeship courses are designed to help students with their problem-solving and critical-reasoning skills — essential for STEM industries — including the trade areas of electrical, engineering, construction and automotive. They also include a work placement component with employers to ensure that students are work-ready from day one when they move into formal employment.

James Caldwell, Hembrow’s electrical service manager, said students who have completed a pre-apprenticeship course with a work experience placement with them as an employer make excellent apprentices — a try before you buy for both apprentice and employer.

“By signing on and completing one of these courses the student has shown a commitment to his or her career pathway, which is highly valued. The pre-apprenticeship course ensures that the student is significantly better prepared to successfully complete both the workplace and off-the-job training of a full apprenticeship,” said Caldwell.

Ahmed Saloojee, OSMAC Group Training field manager, has been working in the group training organisation (GTO) sector for six years and believes finding the right student is the key to a successful apprenticeship.

“I have worked closely with TAFE Queensland SkillsTech and during this time found that their pre-apprenticeship courses gave us the best opportunity to determine an applicant’s suitability, as well as help potential employers see the value in employing an apprentice,” Saloojee said.

“It gives the student an insight into what employers expect; also practical hands-on experience in a workplace, basic tool skills and an understanding of safe work practices to make them job-ready.”

TAFE Queensland SkillsTech said at a time when Australian Industry Group research has indicated that 25% of apprentices are affected by low levels of literacy and numeracy issues, which impacts on their capacity to acquire STEM skills, pre-apprenticeship courses can help.

For more information, contact 1800 654 447.

Image credit: ©iStockphoto.com/Anne Clark