Tap young potential

Looking for an apprentice or trainee? Year 12 graduates may be the answer.

As young people begin their journey out of school and into the real world, they begin to assess the many opportunities in front of them.

For businesses looking for apprentices and trainees, this marks a perfect time to start the recruitment process.

Apprenticeship Support Australia manager Lena Constantine said November could be a good time for businesses to start looking for a new apprentice or trainee.

“Once results are released in December, the market becomes flooded with employers on the hunt for apprentices and trainees,” she said. “Businesses needing apprentices and trainees should start the recruitment process in November as the students start to graduate, to get the pick of the talent.

Apprenticeships and traineeships offer young people a chance to gain life experience, obtain a nationally recognised qualification and get paid for it. Ms Constantine suggested businesses that start the recruitment process before Christmas will help the retention of young people in the local community.

“A paid apprenticeship or traineeship offers school leavers an immediate opportunity as they leave school,” she said. Constantine.

“Young people in regional areas tend to leave their hometown to commence university in Perth, as the study and work opportunities usually aren’t available in their towns.

“If employers start to offer more opportunities to build skills in paid employment, then will more young people will stay, which will benefit the whole community.”

Taking on an apprentice or trainee may attract incentives and financial support for businesses. Apprenticeship Support Australia can offer information on the incentives and help employers identify training opportunities within their business.

There are over 500 qualifications that can be delivered through apprenticeships and traineeships in the workplace.