Businesses slammed for poor training

DANDENONG automotive businesses are among eight in Victoria which have been disqualified from hiring apprentices.
The Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) looked at 115 auto industry employers during an investigation into low quality training, checking whether 160 apprentices were being properly supervised and trained.
The apprentices were all enrolled with a common training provider and those wanting to continue their apprenticeship were offered support to continue with another provider.
Training and Skills Minister Steve Herbert said the VRQA uncovered poor supervision, inappropriate work tasks or facilities, and limited evidence of training.
The VRQA will this year conduct regulatory campaigns targeting specific qualifications and occupations and will be on the lookout for inadequate supervision, work or duties that don’t match the qualification an apprentice is enrolled in, and employers who don’t release apprentices to attend training or pay them to attend training.
The VRQA has worked with unions, the automotive industry and relevant State and Commonwealth Government agencies.
Any apprentice or trainee with concerns about their supervision or training can call the VRQA on 1300 722 603.