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This webinar will describe how social support practices in the workplace contribute to health and well-being, in turn improving the completion rates of young apprentices as they transition from school to work. The webinar is based on a recent collaborative study between the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), the University of Sydney, the Sydney Health and Work Research Network and the Brain and Mind Research Institute. 'Beyond mentoring: social support structures for young Australian carpentry apprentices' confirms the extent to which it is possible to achieve economic and social objectives simultaneously, by having strong systems of support in the workplace. The research considered the forms of support provided to young carpentry apprentices by some of Australia's leading small and large construction firms - all with apprenticeship completion rates well above the industry average. In the webinar the lead researchers and employers involved in the research will talk about the key findings and essential ingredients to success. The webinar will appeal to those interested in vocational training, apprentices, mentoring, industry and economic performance, health and social policy.

Edited abstract. Show less

Australia will need a skilled and flexible workforce to respond to the challenges of the global marketplace and maintain the future of Australia's standard of living. This is the final report of a project on the Australian apprenticeships system and the need for performance increase and reform in areas such as: skills shortages; the economic cycle; completion rates; investment in training by employers; complexity of the current system; and the misalignment of the Australian apprenticeship system and workplace relations system. Consideration has been given to the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) commissioned research (the four reports are indexed in VOCEDplus from TD/TNC 103.683 to TD/TNC 103.686) and other research sources to inform recommendations. The following recommendations were made: (1) establish a National Custodian to oversee reform; (2) enhance the quality and effectiveness of the Australian Apprenticeships system by clarifying the roles and consolidating the number of stakeholders in the system; (3) establish a formal accreditation process for the pre-qualification and training of all employers of apprentices and trainees; (4) establish structured support for employers to provide high quality employment and workforce development experiences for eligible apprentices and trainees; (5) redirect current Australian Government employer incentives to provide structured support services to eligible apprentices and trainees and their employers in occupations that are priorities for the Australian economy; (6) reinforce the need for a shared responsibility for the Australian Apprenticeships system by establishing an Employer Contribution Scheme in which employer contributions will be matched by the Australian Government; (7) facilitate a cooperative and flexible approach by governments and industry bodies to allow for the continuation of both training and employment of apprentices and trainees during periods of economic downturn; (8) formally regulate the quality of VET in Schools within the VET system to enhance the consistency and quality of training across all jurisdictions and to recognise the potential of VET in Schools as a pathway into an apprenticeship or traineeship; (9) increase national consistency in preparatory training by directing the National Quality Council to develop definitions for pre-apprenticeship and pre-vocational training; (10) provide additional support for apprentices and trainees who face specific challenges; (11) implement a strategy to raise the status of apprenticeships and traineeships including promotion as a valued career choice for both males and females; (12) promote a culture of competency based progression in apprenticeships and traineeships; (13) improve the implementation of Recognition of Prior Learning and Recognition of Current Competence and support provisions for such recognition in modern awards; and (14) support a review of apprenticeship and traineeship provisions, wages and conditions by Fair Work Australia. Show less