Apprenticeships provide a vital pathway to employment for Australia’s young people. Despite this the number of apprentices completing has declined in recent years. A new study finds the apprenticeship model is effective when employers and educators follow best practice and recognise the value of social support structures for apprentices.
In a study commissioned by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), researchers investigated eight large and small organisations that have apprentice completion rates sitting around 90%, well above the industry average. They concluded that informal and peer mentoring plays a critical role in supporting the mental wellbeing of young apprentices as they transition from school to work, increasing the likelihood of completion.
“We found that to make a real difference workplaces must embed systemic, informal support arrangements as part of everyday life”, said Professor John Buchanan, lead researcher, University of Sydney Business School.
“For example, where there are strong trade cultures in place, support for new apprentices comes not just from seasoned members of the trade - later year apprentices can also play a very important role. A sense of sharing in the achievements of a respected past, and contributing to people having skills they can use in the future, was an integral feature of all workplaces studied. Such arrangements nurture mental wellbeing – not just quality skills development”.
The key to supporting apprentices is a quality approach to vocational development, which both large and small organisations can foster by:
- Encouraging both formal and informal mentoring
- Valuing time for both on an off-the-job training
- Recognising that skills takes time to develop and require active nurturing on the job
- Placing high value on sharing skills and team work
- Respecting and placing importance on time for innovation
- Encouraging apprentices to tap into wider support networks.
Copies of Beyond mentoring: social structures of support for young Australian carpentry apprentices, are available from www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2865.html
This work has been produced by NCVER on behalf of the Australian Government and state and territory governments, with funding provided through the Department of Education and Training.
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