: How to Recruit
How to Recruit
Before you start the recruitment process, you need to carefully consider the costs and benefits of employing an additional employee in your business. Australian Apprenticeships and traineeships can provide your business with a cost effective way to employ, train and up skill your staff, if undertaken in a planned and structure manner.
Please use the following steps as a general guide to ensuring you get the most out of the apprenticeship and traineeship system:
- Step 1 - Work out the type of apprenticeship or traineeship that is suitable for your needs
- Step 2 - Develop a position description
- Step 3 - Find an apprentice or trainee
Step 1 – Work out the type of apprenticeship or traineeship that is suitable for your needs
Before you start looking for an apprentice or trainee, you need to first establish the basic roles, responsibilities, skills, experience and employment status (i.e. full-time, part-time or Australian school-based) you require to fill the vacant position.
Once you have worked out your requirements, contact Queensland Apprenticeship Services to find out the most appropriate qualification for the role you have specified, including information on competency level requirements, duration, funding, training providers and other qualification details.
Step 2 – Develop a position description
After choosing a suitable apprenticeship or traineeship qualification for your needs, you are now ready to develop the position description. A position description provides applicants with all the necessary information they need, to be able to make an informed decision on the apprenticeship or traineeships position (i.e. do they have the necessary skills and interest in applying for the job). This could include: the main duties required in the job; roles and responsibilities of the employee; skills required (e.g. education, training, technical skills and experience); who the employee will be reporting too; and any other basic information or requirements (e.g. driver's licence etc) you require to effectively advertise the position.
Step 3 – Find an apprentice or trainee
Once you have developed the position description, you are ready to begin looking for candidates to fill the apprenticeship or traineeship role.
- Group Training Organisations – Group Training Organisations (GTOs) employ apprentices and trainees directly and then host them out to you the employer for an agreed amount of time and set fee.
Group Training Organisations can free you from the burden of paperwork and payroll, as well as provide you with a safety net by carefully selecting the apprentice or trainee for you, without you having to worry about long-term employment contracts. This provides you with the flexibility to meet peak workloads and seasonal variations.
Group Training Organisations can assist your business by:
- arranging and monitoring the on and off-the-job training
- acting as consultants and trouble-shooters for both you the host employer and the apprentice or trainee throughout the entire period of employment and training
- arranging rotations to broaden training opportunities
- arranging alternate work placements when required
- counselling and caring for the apprentice and trainee
- looking after the paperwork including wage, holiday pay and sick leave
- Job Network – The Job Network is a national network of Government contracted private and community organisations dedicated to finding jobs for unemployed people by placing them with employers. They can match a job seeker to your apprenticeship or traineeship requirements. Call 13 62 68 or visit www.jobnetwork.gov.au
- TAFE or Private Training Providers – Many of these organisations employ Job Placement Officers who may be aware of job seekers looking to start an apprenticeship or traineeship, matching your position description. Contact Queensland Apprenticeship Services for contact details.
- Regional or Metropolitan Newspapers – Advertising the position in the employment section of your local or metropolitan newspaper is still one of the most commonly used and effective ways to attract potential candidates.
- Employment Websites – Alternatively you may choose to advertise on an employment website such as www.jobsearch.gov.au, www.seek.com.au or www.careerone.com.au, which provide a very cost effective advertising option to traditional newspaper advertising. Note: not everyone has access to the internet.
- Local Schools – Contact your local schools' VET Coordinator, Careers Guidance Counsellor, Cluster Group or local Job Pathway Programme. The Job Pathway Programme assists student in making the transition from school to work. Queensland Apprenticesip Services can assist assist you in finding suitable student candidates through our extensive state-wide school networks. We will even help you write the advertisement and send it to schools on your behalf.
- Australian Technical Colleges
Australian Technical Colleges cater for Years 11 and 12 students who wish to study for their Year 12 certificate and start an Australian Apprenticeship whilst still at school (Australian School-based Apprenticeship).
Through one of 25 Australian Technical Colleges, school students are able to access combined Year 11 and 12 studies and vocational education at the Certificate III level with a focus on the five priority industries:- metals and engineering
- automotive
- building and construction
- electrotechnology
- commercial cookery
The Australian Technical College in North Queensland is located in Townsville. Contact Queensland Apprenticeship Services or call them direct on 1300 665 733 or www.atcnq.edu.au for more information.
- Australian Apprenticeships Access Program (AAAP) – This programme provides pre-vocational training and other forms of assistance for jobseekers, helping them to obtain and successfully participate in Australian Apprenticeships. For more information contract your local Centrelink office on 13 1021 or visit: http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/services/naap.htm
- Word of mouth – Sometimes the best candidates can come from people you may know. Ask your friends, neighbours and business colleagues if they know of anyone who would be interested in starting an apprenticeship or traineeship with your business.
- Employment Agency – If you don't have the time to find an apprentice or trainee directly, you may want to use the services of an employment agency, who will find a suitable candidate on your behalf for a fee.
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