Introduction

Group training is an employment and training arrangement whereby an organisation employs apprentices and trainees under a training contract and places them with host employers.

The organisation undertakes the employer responsibilities for the quality and continuity of the apprentices' and trainees' employment and training.

The organisation also manages the additional care and support necessary to achieve the successful completion of the training contract.

Core activities of a group training organisation

Group training organisations have a special role to play with industry in entry level employment and training. The goals of group training are to:

• create additional apprenticeship and traineeship employment opportunities that otherwise might not have existed
• provide for continuity of employment of apprentices and trainees through to the completion of their training contract; and
• improve the quality and breadth of training available to apprentices and trainees, particularly in small and medium sized businesses.

To achieve these goals, providers of group training services:

• employ apprentices and trainees and place them with host employers
• are responsible for meeting the obligations of the employer as outlined in the apprenticeship/traineeship training contract and managing and monitoring arrangements with host employers; and
• provide care and support throughout the apprenticeship or traineeship.

Many providers of group training services also:

• assist apprentices and trainees to make a successful transition into the workforce following completion of their training contract
• rotate apprentices and trainees across host employers to ensure the continuity of the training contract and enhance the quality and breadth of the training experience
• provide access for those disadvantaged in the labour market to apprenticeships and traineeship; and
• provide services to the community which contribute to the promotion of training and encourage employment growth.