Apprenticeship Mentor Program
In 2013 Primary Skills Victoria, a precursor to FPSV conducted an Apprenticeship Mentoring Program in Victoria through funding from the Commonwealth’s Australian Apprenticeships Mentoring Program.
The Mentoring Program sought to improve Australian Apprenticeship retention rates through targeted mentoring and assistance to 360 Australian Apprentices working in the primary and food industries. The Mentoring Program targeted first year apprentices working in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, food processing and aquaculture and fishing. The first year of training has been identified as a key period when Australian Apprentices are most at risk of withdrawing.
Program Objectives
The Mentor Program aimed to increase the retention rates of apprentices in the early stages of their training in order to improve completion rates and support the supply of skilled workers to the sector.
The free service offered by the Apprenticeship Mentoring Program is designed to assist apprentices to adjust to the expectations of work and training by providing a supportive network. PSV has long known that apprentices are more likely to go on and complete their apprenticeship if given appropriate support.
The benefit of this free service is that apprentices now have someone who can assist them in their career development outside of their employment relationship.
Having a PSV Apprenticeship mentor will be like each apprentice having their own sounding board who will provide assistance either directly or by referral to professional agencies in a wide range of areas.
Services available:
- Career and training information
- Apprenticeship support services
- Monitoring of apprentices at risk of leaving their job
- Information and advice of where to receive help for personal issues
Further Information
To discuss the program please contact:
Greg Hallihan, Executive Officer, FPSV 0477 004 110