Charlotte Varcoe
A RANGE of measures has resulted in record numbers of apprentices enrolled at Group Training Employment.
Currently, about 350 apprentices are enrolled with the employment agency with previous records reaching 250 in 2010.
The employment agency general manager Greg Megaw said the increase in apprentices available in Mount Gambier was due to trades being “relatively untouched” by the Covid-19 pandemic compared to other industries as well as having large infrastructure projects around the city.
“We have had projects such as the Wulanda Recreation Centre, the Mount Gambier Airport and Tenison Wood College’s development alongside a thriving housing market with added State and Federal funding for apprenticeships which has assisted employee’s cash flow,” Mr Megaw said.
“We have always tried to average between 180 to 220 apprentices over the years and have been constantly above 300 since May of last year but the current figures are showing close to 350.”
Mr Megaw said this was unheard of for the Limestone Coast and was due to employees using apprentices to lessen the trades shortage, resulting in a large number of job opportunities over the last year.
“Overall we are actually doing a pretty good job in regards to addressing skill shortages as much as we can as we move forward,” Mr Megaw said.
“Having such a large number of apprentices is filling the gaps of where there were tradespeople before there was a shortage and although it probably won’t address the time it takes to build, it will provide a lot of people with more opportunities and choices of going into a trade of some sort.”
Despite the significant number of apprentices, Mr Megaw said there was still a “shallow talent pool” to find people for work due to there being so many choices and opportunities.
“We always want to make sure we find the right fit for the employee’s company and where we used to have between 10 to 15 people apply for a job we have only had about five in some areas,” he said.
“Although, it is fantastic that we have an increase in apprentices and it is a great thing for our community which should feel privileged that there are these opportunities available.”
He said having these opportunities available allowed for more young people to remain in the region rather than move to the cities.
“Generally Mount Gambier has always had a stable employment market which has never had many highs or lows like other areas so we are very fortunate in that area,” Mr Megaw said.
OG Robert’s third year mechanic apprentice Bailey Perryman said he found his apprenticeship through GTE after completing high school.
Soon to be in his fourth year of his apprenticeship, Mr Perryman said he was happy to have the opportunity to secure an apprenticeship with OG Roberts so soon.
“I did go through GTE and they did help because when I met with them they gave me a list of jobs that might suit me and I could just work through them as I pleased,” Mr Perryman said.
“Having these opportunities in Mount Gambier is great because it helps people like me kickstart careers and find jobs easier.”
