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"Working, learning: Better supporting Victorian apprentices on the job" - Download

Safe Apprentices

We think of an apprenticeship as making a start in a trade or industry you love – setting you on the path to a rewarding career.

But these days, apprenticeships can be like the wild-west, with cowboy operators using and abusing apprentices, stealing their wages, and denying them proper training.

Worst of all, many apprentices are put into dangerous situations without supervision, putting lives at risk.

Zero tolerance for apprentice abuse!

After these cowboys drive one apprentice away from the industry, they can sign up to get another one the very next year!  

It’s become so bad that fewer than half of Victorian apprentices complete their training - they’re being driven from the trades they love.  

Apprentices, trainees, and young workers from every industry are standing together to demand safe apprenticeships and good jobs. 

To fix this issue we want the State Government to close the gaps in legislation and create a stronger regulatory system.

It must have:

Capacity for spot checks and signed declarations re: understanding obligations as an employer, amongst other changes.
Oversight over everyone to ensure compliance
Clear circumstances under which you may or may not be regarded as a fit and proper person to employ an apprentice.

About apprentices

Apprentices have the same rights as other workers – including the right to join your union
You must attend all scheduled training sessions
You cannot be left alone or work unsupervised as an apprentice
An apprenticeship contract can only be varied or cancelled by agreement of both the apprentice and employer after the probation period

Get help

Get support and join the Young Workers Centre Campaign for Safe Apprenticeships.
This is general information only and may not be relevant to your specific situation.
Call the Young Workers Centre to get advice specific to your situation 1800 714 754

Click here for downloadable resources!

Read the McKell Institute's report

"Working, learning: Better supporting Victorian apprentices on the job" - Download here

Ban Bad Bosses

All apprentices deserve safety, respect and training at work - but right now, the system is broken. Right now it’s easier to hire an apprentice than to hire a car – and these are young lives and futures at stake. There's currently no adequate vetting system in place for bosses and employers are rarely supervised or checked up on. That means that so many unscrupulous bosses are allowed to continually mistreat and churn through apprentices like butter. That's why we're calling on the Victorian government to regulate our apprenticeship system to stop cowboy operators who are putting apprentices at risk, and recognise good employers who are doing the right thing.

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