Trainees and apprentices: beat the skills shortage

Having already realised this, the University of Western Sydney is now among the many educational institutions offering an internship unit as part of certain degrees.

The unit ensures students have the necessary skills alongside knowledge, when they enter the workforce, says Asha Chand, senior lecturer and a co-ordinator of UWS’s communication internship unit.

“Coming straight from university, these students are really keen to learn and so moulding them into their own environment is much easier from the employer’s perspective,” says Chand, adding that internships are a good reference point for prospective employers to suss out the individual. “In the 21st century it’s really hard to actually know that this is the person cut out to do the job.”

Another factor that makes the program more appealing to businesses is that the unit is offered in the final year, so students don’t come totally inexperienced. “The bottom line is, we also train our students, we give them hands-on experience,” she explains. “It’s not just about one program or one subject, we encourage our students to go out there, in the real world, and get experience right from the word go.”

And at no cost, other than the time spent showing your intern the ropes, it does ease budget restraints. Also, with a university staff member always in the background to provide any support the student needs, training becomes even easier.

So what’s the best way to find an intern who is the right fit for your business? While the method does depend on each business’ internal policies, the easiest option is contacting universities that offer your industry’s degree and being patched into the relevant department. “I’m happy to talk to any employer and recommend students,” says Chand, adding that other lecturers have the same approach. “That’s how many of our students have been really successful in the real world. Some of them have already secured work because they started out early in their academic life in those environments.”

Fast Facts

*1.68 million students enrolled in the public VET system in 2006.

*397,400 apprentices and trainees were in training.

*87.8 percent of graduates were employed or in further study approximately six months after their training.

*Source NCVER, Australian Vocation Education and Training Statistics, 2006.

Helpful Websites

Australian Apprentices: To learn more about the benefits of apprenticeships and traineeships, or to read about the financial incentives on offer, check out this website.
www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au

Group Training Australia: Find an apprentice or a trainee through GTA, the national body representing 150 group training organisations. www.grouptraining.com.au

MEGT: For education, apprenticeship, traineeship, and employment services, visit www.megt.com.au

National Centre for Vocational Education Research: Check out NCVER’s website for more vocational education and training research and statistics, or subscribe to their newsletter for up-to-date news and information. www.ncver.edu.au

Tools For Your Trade: Reduce the cost of taking on an apprentice even further by taking part in this initiative. Tools For Your Trade provides up to $800 to eligible Australian Apprentices to purchase required tools. www.toolsforyourtrade.com.au

VOCED: To find more information on technical and vocational education and training research visit VOCED, the UNESCO and NCVER international database. www.voced.edu.au