Auto Apprenticeship Helpline | Visa Checking Service | Job Advertising Service
The VACC Helpline provides a free:
- Apprenticeship information service
- Visa checking service
- Job advertising service
to employers, apprentices and all parties involved in the automotive industry across Melbourne and Victoria.
Services & Incentives advice:
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Free service to signup your new or recommencing apprentice into a Training Contract via an Australian Apprenticeships Centre– within 14 days from the start date. (3mth probationary period is included in the Training Contract and not seperate from it). Ph 03 9829 1133
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Fast Visa checking service (with permission from applicant). Need passport number, passport country, name and date of birth. Ph 03 9829 1133
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VACC Job Finder - Free service to advertise employer vacancies for qualified personnel or apprenticeships in automotive. Applicants looking for an automotive job can also view the below link. Ph 03 9829-1133 http://www.vacc.com.au/MemberServices/VACCJobFinder/tabid/3517/Default.aspx
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Suspension Form - used for shortage of work, Illness, Travel Overseas, Injury related to work, Injury not related to work, Maternity Leave. Puts the apprenticeship on hold an readjusts completion date. Both parties need to be in agreement to action a suspension. Ph 03 9829 1133
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Variation to the Training Contract Form - used to change Contract Details eg: Extension of completion date, Change of TAFE (RTO), Change of Attendance Type e.g part-time to full-time, Change of Apprentice Name + evidence, Change of Qualification. Ph 03 9829 1133
- Cancellation forms - For apprenticeships there are 2 forms. One for the employer and one for the apprentice to complete once both parties come to an agreement on the cancellation date and appropriate notice is given. Ph 03 9829 1133
Automotive Apprenticeship Information
If an apprentice has started or recommenced an apprenticeship with an employer, a Training Contract needs to be completed with assistance from an Australian Apprenticeships Centre (AAC) person.
Contact needs to be made with an AAC within 14 days from the start date. They will then book an appointment to come out and complete a Training Contract. All AAC services are free. Ph 03 9829 1133.
There is a 3 month probationary period, included in the Training Contract for apprenticeships. This allows the employer to pay apprenticeship payrates and it allows the apprentice to accumulate time completed towards their apprenticeship.
During the probationary period either party may terminate the Training Contract with one week's notice without any repercussions from the other party.
If an employer decides to trial a person and should things not work out between either party (and no Training Contract is completed), the employer will need to back pay the appropriate non-apprentice payrates.
Apprenticeship payrates can only be paid if a Training Contract has been completed to register the apprenticeship. Speak to VACC Industrial Relations Ph 9829 1123 (or Fair Work Australia Ph 13 13 94 for non VACC members) for the appropriate pay rates.
Competency Based Progressions & Completions - Pay Increments for Automotive Apprentices now flexible - For starts from 01/01/2011 (no longer time based).
As from 01/01/2011 competency based progression and completion commenced for automotive apprenticeships - (new starts in Victoria).
Apprenticeship start dates before 01/01/2011 remain on the old system of 12 month pay increments up until completion of the apprenticeship. If approved by the employer and the RTO, they may be able to complete the apprentice early, if deemed competent (working up to a qualified level) by both parties before the nominal completion date.
How It Is Supposed to Work
A Negotiated Training Plan (NTP) organised by the Registered Training Organisation (RTO) outlines the levels of training required for the apprenticeship.
Each completed level is verified and signed off by the employer after checking the apprentice's Training Record Book (TRB) also provided by the RTO. e.g TAFE or Private Provider.
The TRB is used to keep detailed track of the apprentice's progression through the apprenticeship with the employer signing off on a unit once the apprentice becomes competent in that particular unit. Completion of a unit may require several attempts to reach competency.
When an employer signs off on the first section of the NTP confirming the apprentice has completed all 1st level on-the-job and off-the-job training components (from the TRB); at this point of time the apprentice will go to 2nd year pay rates and so on until completion of the apprenticeship.
Alternatively, if the NTP is not adhered to, you need to calculate each 25% of training completed (on-the-job and off-the-Job) for pay increases, up until completion of the apprenticeship.
If in doubt, contact your Training Provider (RTO) who are supposed to keep in touch with you several times during each year.
As a safety net, if the apprentice reaches the 12 month point pay increases will occur (as per the time based system). Speak to VACC Industrial Relations for pay rates and advice. Ph 03 9829 1123.
Changes
1. Existing Workers - into an apprenticeship
As from 1st July 2012 there will be no $1500 commencement incentive paid for putting an existing worker into an apprenticeship (which is not on the National Skills Needs List).
However if assessed as eligible for incentives, there may be a completion incentive $3000. Note: most of the automotive apprenticeships are on the National Skills Needs List. Call your local apprenticeships centre to check if your existing worker will be entering into a skills shortage trade.
2. Commencement Incentive eligibility period to be extended
For apprenticeship starts from 1st July 2012 the commencement incentive eligibility will occur at the 6 month point. For apprenticeship starts before the 1st July 2012 eligibility will stay at the 3 month point.
3. Apprentice Trade Bonus to discontinue for new starts as from 1st July 2013
The Victorian State Government started this program back in January 2006 which provided payments of $250 at the 6 month point and $250 at the 12 month point of the apprenticeship to apprentices in traditional trades. They have now decided that this scheme is not the catalyst to encourage people to undertake apprenticeship training. This scheme will close down 30th June 2013 and for starts on or after 1st July 2013 these payments will no longer be available.
For further information contact Ph 1300 855 282
Incentive Information
Potential Employer Incentives (Certificate 3 Skills Shortage Trades)
The wage subsidy may be paid to either the apprentice ($13,000 over 2 years) or the employer ($4000 one-off-payment at 12 mth point).
For the employer to be assessed as eligible for the $4000 one-off payment at the 12 mth point, they must pay equivalent to or above The National Minimum Wage which is the same as 2nd Yr Adult Apprentice pay rates from the Vehicle Manufacturing Repair, Services & Retail Award 2010 -Modern Award ($606.40/wk gross).
If the employer pays less than the National Minimum Wage (or 1st Yr Adult Apprentice pay rates $535.20\wk gross) the apprentice will be assessed as eligible to receive the $13,000 wage subsidy. Ph 13 38 73
http://www.fairwork.gov.au/pay/national-minimum-wage/Pages/default.aspx
http://awardfinder.fwo.gov.au/default.aspx ( Enter Award Code - MA000089)
http://www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au/program/support-adult-australian-apprentices-initiative
For employers already receiving 1st year Support for Adult Australian Apprentices Wage Subsidy before 23/10/12. Payments will continue till end of 1st year or until 23/10/13. (There will be no 2nd year employer payments). For employers already receiving 2nd year Suport for Adult Australian Apprentices Wage Subsidy in 2012, there will be no further payments on or after 23/10/2012.
Potential Apprentice Incentives (Certificate 3) - including skills shortage trades
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$13,000 Support for Adult Australian Apprentices Wage Subsidy – 25 yrs and above entering a skills shortage trade – Apprentices may be eligible to receive the subsidy if the employer pays below The National Minimum Wage rate (or 1st Yr Adult Apprentice pay rates from the Vehicle Manufacturing Repair, Services & Retail Award 2010 - Modern Award) :
Payments are: $150/wk 1st yr, $100/wk 2nd yr - claim forms are lodged to the AAC and paid in arrears. This will be taxed depending on your annual income. For Further information: Ph 13 38 73
http://www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au/support-adult-australians
http://www.fairwork.gov.au/pay/national-minimum-wage/Pages/default.aspx
http://awardfinder.fwo.gov.au/default.aspx ( Enter Award Code - MA000089)
Forms Used to Change/Adjust Apprenticeships
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Suspension Forms – adjustments to time - unable to work due to accident, sickness, work shortages long term overseas holidays, Ph 03 9829 1133
A few points to remember when employing an apprentice:
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If you wish to pay apprenticeship rates, the applicant needs to be apprenticed to the company via the Training Contract. If you do not go ahead with a Training Contract, then you will need to pay (or back pay) the appropriate non apprentice pay rates. Contact VACC Industrial Relations for these rates. Ph 03 9829 1123 or Fair Work Ph 13 13 94 for non VACC members.