Carpentry businesses banned from employing apprentices

The VRQA has banned 3 carpentry businesses from employing apprentices in Victoria. All these employers failed to release apprentices for structured training or monitor their training progress. 

A reminder that employers must:

• provide proper supervision by a suitably qualified or experienced person
• assign apprentices and trainees skilled work and training that relates to the qualification
• maintain a training plan that records progress
• release the apprentice or trainee to attend training at their registered training organisation.

VRQA’s Acting Chief Executive Officer said, ‘When an employer takes on apprentice, they agree to release the apprentice to attend structured training – often at a TAFE institution’.

‘They also agree to maintain a training plan that records the apprentice’s progress on the pathway to full competency. That’s the law. And when it doesn’t happen, apprentices are exploited. 

‘The VRQA takes a zero-tolerance approach to these employer breaches.’

If you are an apprentice or trainee who is not receiving proper training, the VRQA can offer advice and send Authorised Officers to your workplace. 

Contact us:

• Call 1300 722 603 (10:00 am to 4:30 pm Monday to Friday) 
• Email vrqa.apprenticeships@education.vic.gov.au
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