Chris Gogerly  -  VACC Apprenticeship Helpline - (03) 9829 1133  Email: cgogerly@vacc.com.au

The VACC Apprenticeship Helpline is a free apprenticeship support service to all employers and apprentices in the automotive industry across Melbourne and Victoria. If an apprentice has started or recommenced an apprenticeship, a training contract needs to be completed by both parties. Contact needs to be made with an Australian Apprenticeships Centre (AAC) within 2 weeks from the start date. They will then book an appoinment to come out and help complete a training contract. All AAC services are free. 

Services & Incentives advice:

General Info

• Free service to complete a Training Contract – within 2 weeks from the start date  Ph 03 9829 1133
• Contact List – find a job or advertise a job -  20 websites & 6 phone numbers  Ph 03 9829 1133
• Credit Requests – for previous placements in the same trade to reduce time  Ph 03 9829 1133
• How to Calculate Anniversary Dates – pay increments for apprentices recommencing from another employer. Don't get caught out with massive back pay. Call to check anniversary date Ph 03 9829 1133
• For recommencing apprentices, check the previous training contract has been cancelled and do a new training contract to register the apprenticeship Ph 03 9829 1133
• Payrates - Vehicle Manufacturing Repair, Services & Retail Award 2010 - Federal Award Ph 03 9829 1133.
• Fast Visa checking service (with permission from applicant). Need passport number, passport country, name and date of birth Ph 03 9829 1133

Potential Employer Incentives (Certificate 3)

• $4000 Australian Government (commencement & completion incentives)  Ph 13 38 73
• $3350 Kickstart Bonus (Dec09 - Feb10 -Skills Shortage) 15 -19 yr olds. $850 @3mths & $2500 @ 9mths
• $3500 State Government Completion Bonus (Victoria) 3 or more apprentices Ph 03 9637 2761
• $1800 Securing Apprenticeships Recommencement Bonus (2009 - 2010) Skills Shortage Ph 13 38 73
• $1000 Securing Apprenticeships Completion Bonus (2009 - 2010) Skills Shortage Ph 13 38 73
• $13,000 Support for Adult Australian Apprentices – 25 yrs and above – Wage subsidy paid to the employer in the automotive industry: $150/wk 1st yr, $100/wk 2nd yr  Ph 13 38 73
• $21,000 Disabled Apprentice Wage Support - approx $103/wk wage subsidy & help with tuition at TAFE.  Ph 13 38 73

Potential Apprentice Incentives (Certificate 3) - including skills shortage trades

• $3800 Tools For Your Trade Payment - $800 @ 3, 12, 24 mths :$700 @ 36 mths & completion Ph 13 38 73
• $500 Apprentice Trade Bonus (Victoria) - $250 @ 6, 12 mths Ph 1300 855 282
• $7300 Living Away From Home Allowance - ($77/wk 1st yr, $38/wk 2nd yr, $25/wk 3rd yr) Ph 13 38 73
• Youth Allowance – available to apprenticeships and traineeships - Centrelink Ph 13 36 33
• Low Income Health Care Card - for discounts etc including TAFE fees - Centrelink Ph 13 36 33.

Changes to Apprentice Incentives 01/01/2010 (Certificate 3 - skills shortage trades)

On the 1st January 2010 changes were made for payments of 3 incentives: Tools For Your Trade Initiative, Commonwealth Trade Learning Scholarship & Apprenticeship Wage Topup. All 3 incentives are now combined into the one Tools for Your Trade Payment and administered by Australian Apprenticeships Centres Ph 13 38 73.  

 Forms Used to Change/Adjust Apprenticeships

• 2 Cancellation forms for Certificate 3 - employer & apprentice - notice required Ph 03 9829 1123. (for problems contact an Apprenticeship Field Officer) Ph 1300 722 603 
• Variation Forms - changes in the current training contract e.g. Change of RTO Ph 03 9829 1133
• Suspension Forms – adjustments to time - unable to work due to accident, sickness, work shortages long term overseas holidays, Ph 03 9829 1133
• Early Release Forms –  Now called Statement of Completion forms - for apprentices completing before the nominal completion date Ph 03 9829 1133.

Employers : A few points to remember when employing an apprentice:

• Apprenticeships can be started at any time during the year unlike secondary school and universities.

• Always ask for a resume and check references to ensure information matches what you have been told by the applicant.

• If taking on an out of trade apprentice - ask for a progress report to gauge the level of schooling they have achieved. Ask for a copy of the cancellation form to ensure that the previous training contract has been cancelled. When an apprentice changes employers they need to cancel the current contract and do a new training contract with the new employer. The apprenticeship duration will be reduced from time completed on-the-job.

• Any fees paid by an apprentice for the purpose of the apprenticeship, shall be reimbursed by the employer upon satisfactory conduct and attendance reports from the training provider.eg TAFE.

• TAFE fees are approximately $900 per annum. Valid Health Care Cards may provide significant fee concessions down to approximately $200 per annum. Fee rates are pro rata as the year moves along.

• Prior to the start date of employment, your new apprentice should sign an "Offer of Employment" letter.  Ph 03 9829 1133

• Apprentices must be signed up into a training contract within 2 weeks from the start date. There is a 3 month probationary period included in the training contact. This allows payment of apprenticeship rates and reduction of apprenticeship duration benefiting both parties -  Ph 03 9829 1133. 

• Training Contracts are a legal document and must be completed by an authorised person. An authorised person is one who represents an Australian Apprenticeships Centre. These centres are contracted by the Department of Employment, Education & Workplace Relations to carry out such duties.

• You have a duty of care to provide a safe workplace environment with structured training and supervision: signing off on modules completed as the apprentice progresses through the Training Record Book to completion of the apprenticeship.

• Keep open good communication lines between yourself and your apprentice. This will go a long way in creating a good working relationship and hopefully creating a long term employee and a valued asset to your business.