Steps to employ an apprentice or trainee - video transcript

Watch the video about the steps to employ an apprentice or trainee.

There are many benefits to having an apprentice or trainee but there can also be a lot to think about when you are busy running a business.

Here are 5 simple steps to help give you a broader understanding of what is involved in employing an apprentice or trainee.

Step 1: Understand your commitment

Firstly, weigh up the pros and cons to decide if taking on an apprentice or trainee is the right step for your business.

Make sure you fully understand your obligations as an employer and consider both the costs involved and what financial incentives may be available to you.

Step 2: Recruitment

Finding the right person is crucial. Someone that fits your business culture is critical to building a strong working relationship. They should be hard-working, dedicated, and willing and able to learn.

You can look for your new apprentice or trainee through your traditional recruitment practices or look for assistance through an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network provider, registered training organisation, group training organisation, your local high school, or they may even be an existing employee.

Step 3: Commencement

Once you've found the right person, you’ll need to choose a training partners, sign contracts, complete an induction, and start the person with a probationary period.

Step 4: Managing

Once your apprentice or trainee is all signed up, you then must meet your obligations to training, supervision and reporting.

This includes providing onsite training, as well as allowing them time to attend offsite training with their supervising registered training organisation.

It's important to find suitable work and provide supervision to help your apprentice or trainee reach their full potential.

You will need to report any notifiable events, such as training delays or changes to your business, and update the training contract if required, such as transfers or extensions. You may also have to work to resolve any issues with your apprentice, trainee or partner organisation, and ensure their training is progressing at the right pace.

Step 5: Completion

This is the most rewarding part. Once your apprentice or trainee has successfully achieved all the competencies in their training plan, you can contact your supervising registered training organisation and they will begin the completion process.

To get started, or for more information on each of these steps, visit our website at www.business.qld.gov.au.

Supporting Queensland small businesses.

Watch the video about the steps to employ an apprentice or trainee.