Printing Industries Association of Australia (Printing Industries) is advising employers of apprentices in Victoria to hold off signing apprentice training transfer applications currently being circulated.
Printing Industries CEO Bill Healey said that several printing companies had contacted the Association after being approached by private training provider CLB to transfer theirapprentices away from RMIT.
“There is absolutely no need for companies to make a decision to transfer their apprentices at this point in time. In fact they may be acting prematurely and putting their businesses and apprentices at a disadvantage by not looking at all available training options first,” he said.
Mr Healey said RMIT had undertaken in April this year to continue to deliver training of existing apprentices at its Brunswick Campus until the end of 2013.
“This is a contracted obligation with RMIT. It provides some short-term certainty for apprentices and their employers that the scope of existing skill sets standards will be maintained,” he said.
“It has also provided industry with the opportunity to consider its current and future training needs. As a result the printing industry will launch its own Registered Training Organisation (RTO) to manage industry training with an initial focus in Victoria.”
Negotiations are being finalised with the Victorian Government to enable the RTO to accept apprentices next year.
“Companies should not feel pressured to sign over the training of their apprentices until all options have been put on the table,” he said.
Mr Healey encouraged any printing business that required further information to contact Printing Industries General Manager Employment, Education and Training, Joan Grace on (03) 8541 7310 or email: joan@printnet.com.au
Printing Industries Association of Australia
www.printnet.com.au
