Employers have their say

We’ve had four apprentices through this department and in each case we’ve looked very hard at the students. 

Our selection process has been very strict to find someone who stands out from the crowd and we’ve taken on that person. And obviously we like the College because we keep coming back! 

All the lads we’ve taken on have done work experience. It’s definitely a benefit for both your business and the student. You get to see the different calibre and quality of people and the lads in the college get a real experience of working life. But give them real work experience – an apprentice’s job is not just to sweep the floor. They need to learn and develop and that will help your business.
 
My advice? Get involved with the College and understand exactly what they’re doing so your expectations are clear. And trial a few students in work experience but give them a fair go – it’s your best chance to test-run a new apprentice!

~ Derek Swadling, CHC Helicopters

The training our apprentices are getting at the Technical College helps them understand what the workforce is about. We need reliability and it’s more than just education. 

Professionalism is very important and the students are taught that while still at school. And the staff at the college take a personal involvement in each and every one of their students. They know what makes them tick, what drives them and they can give you a lot of insight into the individual. 

My advice? If you get involved in the College and they understand what your business is like, they will help find you someone to fit within your culture and with the right skills.

~ Anthony Kittel, REDARC Electronics

Overall, we find that the quality of apprentices that come out of colleges is far better than those from schools. The Colleges help the kids find a trade they like. As an industry we need to get kids to touch, feel and smell the industry so they can fall in love with it. The College does that and that then cements the retention rate. It’s a wonderful way to do it because I don’t want to wave goodbye to someone who’s spent six months learning that they don’t like this industry. This is where the college model works so well and we improve our retention because of it. My advice? Skill can be taught, but patience and understanding are important. Young people need to be nurtured as they start their career and I’ve found they pretty much turn out alright!

~ David Cocks, MTA Training Group