In recent years the number of apprentices reaching out to the Young Workers Centre with employment issues has been increasing. In 2022 alone 77% of Young Workers Centre clients were apprentices and only 52.3% of Victorian apprentices who started their apprenticeships in 2017 have completed their apprenticeships. It became apparent that there was a broad, systemic issue where bosses were exploiting young workers.

Apprentices, young workers, the Young Workers Centre and Victorian unions have been at the forefront of a campaign for safe and fair apprenticeships. Apprentices shared their stories, collected over 10,000 petition signatures and met with MPs to advocate for stronger regulations to protect apprentices from exploitation, mistreatment and poor conditions leading to incomplete qualifications and an overall dissatisfaction within their training.

In response to the campaign the Victorian Government committed to launching an Apprenticeship Taskforce which is where unions, industry and apprentices came together to share ideas. This culminated in 16 recommendations being put forward to the Government to improve the apprenticeship system in Victoria.

Last week the Victorian Government announced that they would be committing to all 16 recommendations!

I am going to outline the recommendations and how they will ensure that apprenticeships are a valuable and rewarding pathway:

• A new regulatory body will be established which will proactively monitor bosses who employ apprentices and enforce standards to ensure apprentices are safe & treated fairly. This means dodgy bosses can't get away with mistreating and exploiting one apprentice after another. 
• The oversight of training contracts will be enhanced (a contract must be signed to be registered as an apprentice and it lays out responsibilities/expectations of both employee and employer) to ensure that bosses are training and supervising their apprentices satisfactorily. 
• A central helpdesk will be established to support apprentices to seek guidance and help.
• An information sheet will be distributed with apprentices on commencement to clarify roles, responsibilities and expectations.
• A transparent relationship will be established between regulators, such as WorkSafe, and the new apprentice regulator to share information e.g. when apprentices are injured at work the new regulator will be notified.
• An accessible list of supportive employers for women will be set up and a pledge for employers to commit to providing support systems and supplies/facilities for women on/off site.
• More Apprenticeship Support Officers will be employed to support apprentices.
• Education will be provided for new employers transitioning to new regulatory standards.
• The relationship between AASNs (Australian Apprenticeship Support Network) and ASOs (Apprenticeship Support officers) will be strengthened to minimize duplication.
• Education sessions will be run for current apprentices to gain knowledge about how to operate a small business and how to correctly employ and treat other workers in case they choose to run their own business and employ apprentices in the future.
• Opportunities for experienced tradespeople to transfer off the tools and into TAFE teaching roles will be promoted and encouraged.
• A financial package for apprentices will be developed to address the potential for initial burden of TAFE fees, as well as other incentives such as free public transport.
• The State Government will advocate to the Federal Government for apprentice wages to be lifted.

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Find out more about these changes here.

This is a huge win fought and won by apprentices, young workers and unions who have risen to the occasion, choosing to speak up and share their experiences.

The change they have made will ensure bad bosses don’t get away with mistreating apprentices one after another and instead apprentices are more likely to enter workplaces that value dignity, respect and safety.

This win highlights what happens when workers come together. Our solidarity is our strength, join your union and be a part of the change.