The new financial year has begun which means now is a great time to start thinking about your staffing requirements. As mentioned in our last eNewsletter, we have created a checklist to help you think through your staffing needs in time for the next intake of apprentices. Click here to complete the Checklist >

We've had some great feedback on our eNewsletter this month with one of our readers commenting that she enjoys reading our monthly eNewsletters so much, she finds herself forwarding it on to other contacts each month. It's always good to get feedback, so please email us your thoughts, and don't forget to use the forward to a friend link so your contacts can also be added to the database should they choose to receive future issues.

We're excited to officially announce and launch our very first 1300apprentice Awards. Our awards have been designed to officially recognise the amazing achievements of our apprentices and trainees who have either just completed or are close to completing their qualification this year.

Apprentice categories include Building & Construction, Manufacturing, Horticulture and Other whilst trainee categories include Business and Other. We also have a category for Indigenous Apprentice/Trainee of the Year as well as Encouragement Awards. To nominate your apprentice or trainee and for more information click here >

Thank you to everyone who joined us to farewell Dean Mortimer (pictured right with Lana Grozdanovski from our Burwood office), who is our recently retired WTE 1300apprentice Manager from the Wollongong Office and has been working with us for over seven years. As summed up by our CEO, Jane Kennedy, “Not only will Dean be sorely missed by everyone here at 1300apprentice, but he will also be missed by our many wonderful hosts in the Southern Highlands and Wollongong.” Dean has already made some plans for retirement and you may even catch him on the snow fields in New Zealand. 

Taking over Dean’s position in Wollongong is Rhonda Hollis (pictured right) who has worked in the VET sector for the last eighteen years. Rhonda brings a wealth of experience with her and has been working throughout the Wollongong and Southern Highlands for many years. Welcome aboard Rhonda. Please contact Rhonda by phoning 0438 186 392 or emailing r.hollis@1300apprentice.com.au.

We'd also like to extend a warm welcome to Andre Becher who has been appointed as our Sales Executive in our Sydney office. Andre is responsible for driving new apprentice business across the Sydney metropolitan region and brings with him some fantastic sales experience. Andre can be contacted on 0407 898 797 or by emailing a.becher@1300apprentice.com.au.

It's always a good sign when a host employer believes in their trainee or apprentice so much that they wish to invest in their future.

This month's trade spotlight shines on trainee, Sarah Felettigh (who featured last month in those fun marketing photos). Though traineeships span many job types, Sarah’s traineeship represents the classic administration traineeship. Her host employer RSM Bird Cameron Partners are happy with her progress and have provided further opportunities for her development by sending her on a two day insolvency course run by the Insolvency Practitioners of Australia. Richard Stone, her supervisor, said “this course is in addition to the certificate course that forms part of Sarah's traineeship, but she has demonstrated a real interest in her role and our business and so this course will allow her to understand insolvency better. We couldn’t be happier.”

On traineeships, Sarah says “so far my traineeship has really allowed me to develop my administrative skills. It has opened my eyes and I love the environment where I work and the opportunity to do some further relevant study on the industry.”

A NOTE ON TRAINEESHIPS: Whereas most apprenticeships commence at the end of the calendar year or the beginning of the new year to coincide with TAFE enrolment, traineeships are flexible and can start at any time. If you think you may have a trainee position available but you are not quite sure, Samantha Leet from our office would be more than happy to visit and talk to you about how to tailor a program to suit the job you have available. Email Sam or call 1300apprentice.

Unlike last month where we had no injuries to report, this month we had one injury which resulted in surgery. A timely reminder to all apprentices to follow correct procedures on Work Method Statements to avoid injuries from occurring.

Workcover's latest Safety Alert is on Runaway Vehicles in Automotive Repair workshops which was published following an incident where a motor mechanic started a vehicle by bridging the ignition/starter motor wiring in the engine bay. The vehicle had been left in ‘drive’ and, although the hand brake had been applied, the vehicle lurched forward pushing an 18-year-old apprentice through a brick and glass wall from the first floor of the workshop to the car park below. The apprentice and motor mechanic narrowly escaped serious injury and death. Click here for more information>

"First impressions are the best impressions".

There's a lot of truth to this saying and it definitely applies to a job interview. Even if you are going for an apprenticeship where you will get your hands dirty all day, the same job interview rules apply when it comes to your presentation.

Maybe a suit and tie, or business clothes are a little too much for an apprenticeship interview, however, every effort should be made to dress neatly. A nice collared shirt, dress trousers and black shoes are a good choice. Young ladies who are applying for apprenticeships should dress as neatly and conservatively as possible. Employers don't want to see t-shirts, ripped or torn jeans, sneakers, baseball caps, low cut tops or too much makeup or jewellery. For office roles, suit and tie or corporate clothing are an absolute must!

Being well groomed is also essential in all interview situations - you must be clean, wear deodorant, have neat tidy hair and fresh breath.
For more info check out our How to Dress for an Interview Poster >

Western Sydney Expo
Tuesday and Wednesday the 20th and 21st of July
Nepean Careers Market
Thursday and Friday the 22nd and 23rd of July
Industrial Arts Head Teachers Conference
Friday the 30th of July
Naidoc Week
4-11 July  More >

The Suicide Prevention Foundation offer support for anyone who is having problems, feeling down or sad, and for people suffering from depression.

They offer information and contacts for people who can listen and help. They also provide a FREECALL phone service with 12 minutes of recorded information emphasizing the fact that nearly all suicidal ideas are due to stress and depression, describing the symptoms of depression, encouraging the caller to seek treatment, offering advice for immediate intervention, and insisting the illness can be cured. Phone 1800 HOLDON (1800 465 366). Click here for more information >