Employing an apprentice – choosing the right GTO

20th June 2012

Author: MIGAS
Categories: News & Blogs Staff Blog

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Employing an apprentice with a Group Training Organisation (GTO) – What to look for when choosing a GTO

In today’s labour market the decision to engage a GTO to help in employing an apprentice and developing your workforce is a smart one.  Often you can be so busy looking for qualified skilled labour (i.e.: qualified trades people) that your apprentice program slides a bit.  Any neglect of the apprentice development program will lead to limited development of your future workforce.  All businesses like to grow and if you’re one of these you’ll need quality trades people to do the work.

Today’s quality Group Training Organisation is geared to work in partnership with you to help you reach these outcomes and develop awesome staff for your business.

So, if you’ve decided to engage a Group Training Organisation or ‘GTO’ to help in your quest in employing an apprentice and developing the best workforce possible for now and the future, here’s a few things to look out for:

1. Quality Recruitment Procedures:  Some GTO’s recruit for pools of apprentice numbers and then “hire them out” to businesses willing to take them on.  Other quality GTO’s recruit for you based on your needs.  This is the GTO you’ll want to go for especially if you expect to keep the apprentice working with you for the full duration of their apprenticeship.  You want the best apprentices, right?  Not just someone who is ‘next’ on the list.  By taking the time to understand your needs and your business, the quality GTO will be able to recruit a person/people that are best suited to you.  This will pay off in the long run because the ultimate aim is that they become a member of your permanent workforce.  So, best to get it right from the start.
   Employing an apprentice
2. Testing and Aptitude:  Also check the aptitude and testing tools the GTO uses to recruit. An aptitude test is able to quickly determine the suitability of a person to a trade.  It should be able to determine the education, skill and mental aptitude as well as personality.  We’re all different.  Some people work well in some environments rather than others and it pays to get the match right at the start.
   Employing an apprentice
3. Service Levels and Pastoral Care of Apprentices: How often will you see your GTO representatives?  And how often will they come out and check on the performance levels of the apprentice?  In a recent survey of businesses that use GTO’s, more than 85% said they were less than impressed with the level of service they received from their GTO.  ‘Service’ can mean many things however most point to the fact that easy access and availability when they need them are the key aspects.  Ensure you have a direct line to the field officer responsible for your apprentice(s).  You want to know you can contact them at any time to discuss issues regarding the apprentice.
   Employing an apprentice
   An apprentice’s performance and attitude play a big part in their ability to do well and complete their qualification, and their attitude and performance is directly related to the levels of productivity you get from an apprentice.  A GTO’s responsibility is to ensure the apprentice is well cared for and well supported throughout their apprenticeship term.  This is called “Pastoral Care”.  There is a direct relationship between the levels of support an apprentice receives and their overall performance and ability to complete the apprenticeship.  You’ll want to look for a GTO that can demonstrate solid Pastoral Care and support strategies.  A quality GTO should be visiting the apprentice no more than every six to eight weeks to carry out performance assessments and check on progress.  Anything less than this and it will become a greater workload for you, and after all – that’s what the GTO’s job is, to take the apprentice away hassles from you, right?
   Employing an apprentice
4. Reputation: Finally, what is the reputation of the GTO?  Do they have a good name in the industry you work in?  Any quality GTO will be able to supply a number of testimonials and they should make referees available to you to discuss their past performance.  Just because a GTO has a large number of apprentices on their books doesn’t mean they are the best.  Often the field staff in these GTOs can have higher case loads of apprentices to look after which may reduce the level of care you receive.  Look for a GTO that limits their field officer caseloads to around 40 – 45 apprentices.  This will ensure you and the apprentice receive great service and levels of care and support.
   Employing an apprentice

A partnership with a quality GTO like MIGAS is a sound decision to make.  Your future workforce will be better secured and at the same time your productivity increased.  But most importantly: your business will grow because you’ll be able to get on with the job of doing whatever it is you do best…

 

Matt Stewart
National Business Development Officer

 

Employing an apprentice