Apprentices: Why Do They Leave, and How Do We Keep Them?

‘The right apprentices, with the right trades, with the right employers, help our industry with a steady supply of qualified and licensed tradespeople. It is essential.’
Source: CSQ, CSQ Training Plan 2021-22

It’s no secret that Australia needs apprentices. 

But why do they leave early? And what can we, as employers, do to support and keep them?

Since the harsh blows of the pandemic on the trade and construction industry in 2020, the government has been investing heavily into boosting apprenticeship enrollment rates. They offered generous wage incentives to both employers and commencing trainees, and, as a result, there are now more QLD construction apprentices in training than ever before.

‘Driven by generous government incentives, more than 30,000 people signed up for an apprenticeship in Queensland over a six-month period. This was a greater-than-80% increase from the same period 12 months earlier.’

Source: CSQ, A Year in Review 2021

However, this surge in apprenticeship commencements doesn’t necessarily reflect in qualified apprentices. While we’ll have to wait four years to see the outcome of these new enrollments, recent data from the National Centre for Vocational Educational Research (NCEVR) states that 2021 held the fewest combined completions since 1999. 

But why? And why have the completion/cancellation rates remained so close for so long?

By asking enough employers and apprentices, there seems to be a lack of commitment on both sides:

Refrigeration Mechanic 900x600 1

1. Apprentices who don’t commit.

It’s a common story. A kid finishes year 10 or year 12, doesn’t know what they want to do, and randomly picks a trade. Maybe there’s a good wage; maybe their mates are doing it; maybe the government’s offering benefits, but it’s not long before they wish they had known what they were getting into before they began. This, combined with the shifting priorities, values, and needs of younger generations, has led to a hesitation to commit.

CSQ responded to this within their 2021-2022 Training Plan. They’ve invested $1M into an apprenticeship support program dedicated to encouraging the completion of apprenticeships and traineeships, and another $2.7M into career pathways courses for young people. The aim of this is to provide those interested with a solid taste of their ‘dream job’ BEFORE they begin, therefore more accurately targeting those who are willing to stick it out. 

2. Employers who don’t commit.

Kayle Dean, 25, Refrigeration Technician

Kayle’s just graduated from his apprenticeship as a fully qualified fridge. It’s safe to say he’s glad he chose Coolphase for his apprenticeship.

Apprentices cost time, money, and personnel, and, for many employers, the benefits don’t outweigh these. They would rather pay more for experienced tradespeople or string along unqualified assistants for cheap labour.

“They’d never put on apprentices before, they’d just had tradesmen and labourers. I would’ve been one of their first, and they didn’t want to jump in. Easier (and cheaper) to have someone working that’s not an apprentice and not qualified.”

Kayle Dean was 21 when he secured a refrigeration trades assistant job at a competing employer. Initially, he was promised he could begin his apprenticeship immediately, a story that quickly dissolved into ‘in a few months’ and then ‘the beginning of next year’.

After months of getting the run-around, he was desperate for an apprenticeship. That’s when a friend recommended he might find himself a better fit at Coolphase.

 

 

“I spoke to Ricky about my experiences, and he told me on the spot that that wouldn’t be the case here. He said I’d have an apprenticeship as soon as possible.”

Luckily, we followed through. Four years later, Kayle’s just graduated from his apprenticeship as a fully qualified fridgie. It’s safe to say he’s glad he made the switch.

“Looking back, I had hesitated to jump to a rival company after being at my current one for such a short time, but coming to Coolphase was the best decision I could’ve made for myself.”

When he successfully finished his time, he had a few other job options at different companies, but he didn’t care. He couldn’t wait to sign a new employment contract with us.

“They put me through the apprenticeship and spent four years on me. I feel like I owe them at least a bit of time as a tradesman. I want to give back.

The environment of Coolphase is a good one. I get along with everyone, the environment is chill and not uptight or angry. It’s a pretty cool place to work.”

It’s Worth It

At Coolphase, we’re big believers in a fair go. Apprentices make up 35% of our workforce, and they play a huge part in the culture of our business. Coolphase doesn’t just exist for the customers who buy our products or enlist our services, but also our employees. By investing in apprentices, we’re doing our small part to contribute to the next generation of workers and, ultimately, our future. 

‘Our commitment to training apprentices is at the core of who we are. It’s not just a means to supplement our workforce; it’s our way of giving back. We all started somewhere, so giving others the same opportunity we’ve had is extremely rewarding. We don’t get to keep all the kids (or adults) we start. But we’re proud of the ones that stay.’

Ricky Gatti, General Manager at Coolphase

Find Out More About Us Here

Written by Trinity Kitching 4/08/22 6:49pm

Sources:

Construction Skills Queensland

National Centre for Vocational Education Research

The Australian Government Treasury

Interview with a Coolphase Electrical Graduate

Mitch completed his electrical apprenticeship with Coolphase in 2017. In 2018 he was the lead electrician at the Coles Ripley new store refrigeration installation. When I took our photographer through the plant room of the store, he, like I couldn’t believe that a first year technician had co-ordinated a team of staff and produced this level of quality. I asked Mitch a few questions about his apprenticeship:

What did getting an apprenticeship mean to you?

I always wanted an apprenticeship after school but the opportunity just never came because I was doing a few other things with sport straight out of school and it just made it too hard. So when the opportunity came at Coolphase I was grateful for it, because I started a bit later and appreciated it a bit more I think.

Who was your greatest mentor throughout your time?

There was no real main mentors because you work with everyone and everyone will do things different ways so when your time comes you can pick what works best for you. It’s a good bunch of blokes so it’s always a laugh on site.

What is the funniest moment you’ve enjoyed while working at Coolphase (that you can share)?

We were working away in Bundaberg and one of the other electrical apprentices Ollie left his boots behind at the site one day, so I picked them up thinking I’ll just give them to him when we get back home. Ollie was about half way home when he realised he’d forgotten his boots and raced back to site to pick them up only to find they weren’t there. He was about to buy a new pair when I got home and saw he wasn’t so thought I’d text him to let him know I had them. That was when he told me he had got a speeding fine trying to get back to the site before it was locked off.

What do you see as your greatest achievement, now you have completed your apprenticeship and worked as an extremely talented technician?

Probably just running Ripley Coles. I wanted to do it, I was keen and I enjoyed it, I had a lot of good help which always makes it easier, but I enjoyed that.

Where do you see your awesomely bright future taking you?

 I really have no idea, I’m happy doing what I’m doing. I’ve been able to achieve a few things outside of work thanks to the work we do at Coolphase so I’m grateful for that and I’ll just go with things and see where it takes me.

Interested in an electrical apprenticeship and joining our awesome team?

Complete the form below and include your resume to register your interest!

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    Choosing Refrigeration and Air Conditioning as a Career

    What We Do:

    As an integral part of the community Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration (HVAC&R) technicians service, maintain and install all types of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment. A refrigeration technician’s biggest contribution is to food preservation; ensuring the integrity of what we all eat; and the main focus for an air conditioning specialist, is to keep air in controlled environments cool, warm and clean.

    HVAC&R technicians also make a great commitment to the environment, through using energy efficient technology, great “codes of practice”, natural refrigerants, and by saving the world “one gas leak at a time!”

    Skills Involved:

    The refrigeration and air conditioning trade combines various disciplines into one specialised field. A four-year apprenticeship sees you completing similar tasks to an electrician or a plumber, but, will add in a touch of mathematics, science and physics to spark your interest.

    Work Anywhere in the World:

    As a qualified refrigeration and air conditioning technician, you will be in demand where ever you go. Australian technicians are some of the best-trained in the world, we are diverse, versatile and resilient, throw in our great sense of humour and “Banff, Alberta” here we come!

    Future Prospects:

    Great technicians looking for more can complete additional studies and move into the areas of drafting, engineering, consultancy or project management. Young entrepreneurs can even start their own business and in time create the same opportunities given to them by offering new apprenticeships to the next batch of future fridgies.

    The refrigeration and air conditioning industry is full of great people and can be fantastically rewarding, once you start, you’ll never look back. Take pride in your work, make steps every day to complete your trade, enjoy your journey and endeavour to become an “awesome craftsman”.

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