Benefits of Using a Group Training Organisation

Peyton and Ben both completed their Warehousing Traineeship with MIGAS, hosted with Jaybro Group.
Many businesses recognise they need fresh talent to stay competitive, but the path to building that talent pipeline isn't always clear.
Hiring apprentices seems like a smart move. After all, you're investing in people who can grow with your company while bringing energy and new perspectives. But the reality of managing apprenticeships can feel overwhelming.
Where do you find the right training providers? How do you navigate compliance requirements? What if you don't have the internal expertise to mentor effectively?
This uncertainty leads many companies to put apprenticeship programs on the back burner, even when they know developing homegrown talent could transform their business.
The good news is there's a solution that removes much of the complexity while delivering better results than going it alone.
Group Training Organisations like MIGAS Apprentices & Trainees offer a proven pathway for companies wanting to harness the power of apprenticeships without getting bogged down in administrative headaches or training gaps.
Rather than navigating the Australian Apprenticeship landscape solo, you join a collaborative network where the heavy lifting of training coordination, compliance management, and quality assurance is handled by specialists who live and breathe workforce development.
The benefits extend far beyond convenience. Companies working with GTOs often discover they can access higher-quality training, reduce costs, and create more robust career pathways for their apprentices than they ever could independently.
For businesses serious about future-proofing their workforce but unsure where to start, understanding how Group Training Organisations work could be the missing piece of your talent strategy.
Key Reasons to Use a Group Training Organisation
1. The GTO is the legal employer – and you 'host' them at your worksite
- The GTO recruits and employs the apprentice
- You become the host employer, providing the day-to-day work experience and on-the-job training
- The GTO handles:
- Payroll and superannuation
- Leave entitlements
- Workers’ compensation
- Employment contracts and training compliance
2. Recruitment and screening done for you
- GTOs:
- Advertise, shortlist, and interview candidates
- Check work rights and qualifications
- Match apprentices to your trade and workplace needs
- You get candidates who are already pre-screened for aptitude and interest
3. Compliance taken care of
- GTOs ensure:
- Training contracts are lodged correctly
- Wage rates meet Award or Enterprise Agreement requirements
- Safety and supervision requirements are met
- They liaise with the Registered Training Organisation and state training authority so you don’t have to
4. Mentoring and performance management
- GTOs provide field officers who:
- Visit regularly to check on progress
- Support both you and the apprentice
- Help address performance issues or training gaps
- This can improve retention and reduce early dropouts
5. Less risk if work slows down
- If your workflow changes, you can pause or end the hosting arrangement without having to terminate the apprentice’s employment
- The GTO can rotate them to another host so their apprenticeship continues
6. Potential cost predictability
- You pay an agreed hourly rate to the GTO
- That rate covers:
- Wages
- On-costs (super, leave, insurance)
- Administration and support
- This can make budgeting simpler than managing apprentice payroll yourself
Comparison of Direct Employment and Using a GTO
When you're weighing up how to bring apprentices into your business, the decision often comes down to a fundamental question: should you handle everything in-house or partner with a Group Training Organisation?
Direct employment might seem like the obvious choice – more control, direct relationship with your apprentice, no middleman. But scratch beneath the surface and the picture becomes more complex.
The reality is that each approach comes with distinct advantages and trade-offs that can significantly impact your experience, costs, and outcomes.
To help you make an informed decision based on your specific circumstances and priorities, we've broken down the key factors side by side. This comparison will give you a clearer picture of what each option actually involves, beyond the initial assumptions.
Factor | Direct Employment | Through a Group Training Organisation (GTO) |
Who is the legal employer? | You are. | The GTO is. You are the host employer. |
Payroll & admin | You handle payroll, super, leave accruals, workers’ comp, PAYG tax, and record keeping. | GTO handles all payroll, super, insurance, and compliance paperwork. |
Recruitment | You advertise, shortlist, interview, and hire. | GTO recruits, screens, and matches apprentices to your needs. |
Training contract | You lodge and manage the training contract with the Apprentice Connect Australia Provider (APAC). | GTO arranges and manages all required training contract paperwork through the APAC. |
RTO selection and training plan | You select the Registered Training Organisation needed to deliver the necessary off-the-job training for your apprentice. | GTO coordinates the RTO selection and the required training plan. |
Wages & entitlements | You calculate wages under the correct Award/Agreement and pay for off-the-job training time. | GTO calculates and pays wages, ensuring Award compliance. You pay the GTO an agreed hourly rate. |
Supervision | You provide qualified supervision and training opportunities. | You still provide supervision, but GTO supports with field officers who monitor training progress and resolve issues. |
Performance management | You manage attendance, performance, and discipline directly. | GTO manages performance, attendance, and discipline, and can re-host the apprentice if needed. |
If work slows or stops | You must continue paying the apprentice or arrange cancellation/transfer of their contract (can be complex). | You can end the hosting period, and the GTO will find the apprentice another placement. |
Incentives | You claim eligible government incentives directly. | GTO may claim incentives; this is factored into their pricing. |
Costs | You pay actual apprentice wage plus on-costs (super, insurance, leave). | You pay an all-inclusive hourly rate (wages + on-costs + admin fee). |
Best suited for | Businesses with stable workloads, strong HR/payroll capacity, and experience in training apprentices. | Businesses new to apprenticeships and their requirements or without substantial internal HR/payroll capacity. |
Hire an Apprentice for Your Business with MIGAS
Partnering with the right Group Training Organisation can transform your approach to building talent while removing the barriers that often derail apprenticeship programs.
At MIGAS Apprentices & Trainees, we've spent over 35 years perfecting this model, working alongside businesses just like yours to create apprenticeship experiences that deliver real results for both employers and apprentices.
Whether you're taking your first steps into apprenticeships or looking to scale an existing program, we handle the complexity so you can focus on what matters most: growing your business with skilled, committed team members.
Our approach is built around understanding your unique needs and matching you with apprentices who are genuinely excited about building a career in your industry.
Get in touch with the MIGAS team today to discuss how we can help you build the workforce your business needs to thrive.