Skills Potential Program Graduates

On 8th May 2012 MEGT Institute held a double graduation ceremony – for the Certificate I graduates and Certificate II graduates of the Skills Potential Program.

The Hon Cassy O’Connor, Minister for Human Services was present to celebrate with the graduates, along with Barry O’Gorman – Chair of MEGT (Australia) Ltd, Sue Kent – General Manager, MEGT Education, Catherine Viney – CEO Cosmos Inc, Hobart businesses: K&D Warehouse, Howards Storage, Tackle Us, Italian Pantry, The Lansdowne Cafe, Harris Scarfe, Carat Zoo, government officials, MEGT staff, Cosmos staff and family.

The Skills Potential Program is a nationally accredited retail program specifically tailored for students with an intellectual/developmental disability. The program involves short, interactive, repetitive sessions, delivered in a supported environment.  Students undertake work placements with the support of a job coach to practice the skills they have learnt.  Tailored Language, Literacy and Numeracy training is delivered individually to each student. The results have exceeded expectations with students achieving employment and education outcomes.

A Certificate I program and Certificate II program are scheduled to commence in June 2012.  Given the program’s success, increasing interest and value of the Skills Potential Program it is hoped that it will continue to be supported and given every opportunity to grow and provide further education and employment opportunities to students with an intellectual/developmental disability.

Huge win for MEGT AAC

MEGT Australian Apprenticeships Centre (AAC) is delighted to announce that we have been very successful in the latest DIISRTE Request for Tender (RFT) exercise for the Australian Apprenticeships Support Services (AASS) Contract from 1 July 2012 to 30 June 2014.

MEGT AAC has not only successful retained all 12 current AASS regions but has substantially expanded having successful won an additional 7 AASS regions. This means that MEGT has won 19 out of the possible 22 AASS regions across Australia. The regions are:

Region No. 1
Sydney

Region No. 2
Western NSW

Region No. 3
Hunter & North Coast

Region No. 4
Illawarra & South East

Region No. 5
Australian Capital Territory

Region No. 6
Riverina (NSW)

Region No. 7
Melbourne

Region No. 8
Gippsland

Region No. 9
Geelong

Region No. 10
Victorian Central Highlands

Region No. 11
Brisbane

Region No. 12
South Queensland

Region No. 13
Central Queensland

Region No. 14
Northern Queensland

Region No. 15
Adelaide

Region No. 16
South Australian Country

Region No. 17
Perth

Region No. 18
Southern WA

Region No. 21
Tasmania

MEGT will be opening 39 new offices across Australia.

Our new and current office locations will be:

NSW:  Bankstown, Campbelltown, Chatswood, Gosford, Liverpool, Miranda, Parramatta, Penrith, Surry Hills, Broken Hill, Orange, Tamworth, Ballina, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Taree, Batemans Bay, Bega, Wollongong, Albury, Griffith, Wagga Wagga.

ACT:   Civic

VIC:    Camberwell, Chadstone, Cranbourne, Dandenong, Epping, Heidelberg West, Lilydale, Melbourne, Melton, Moorabbin, Richmond, Ringwood, Sunshine, Wantirna, Werribee, Bairnsdale, Traralgon, Warragul, Geelong, Hamilton, Warrnambool, Ballarat, Bendigo, Echuca, Horsham, Mildura, Shepparton, Swan Hill, Wangaratta, Wodonga.

QLD:   Bowen Hills, Caboolture, Chermside, Gold Coast, Ipswich, Maroochydore, Springfield, Springwood, Bundaberg, Roma, Toowoomba, Warwick, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Proserpine, Rockhampton, Cairns, Mount Isa, Townsville, Weipa.

SA:     Christie Downs, Elizabeth, Parkside, Berri, Mt Gambier, Port Augusta, Port Lincoln, Whyalla.

WA:       Joondalup, Perth, Rockingham, Albany, Bunbury.

TAS:   Devonport, Hobart, Launceston.

MEGT will be recruiting over 180 new staff.

Click here to see available positions and the Position Descriptions.

Positions will be advertised on www.seek.com.au  Simply type MEGT into the keyword section of the Job Search function and press Seek

Shaping apprenticeships the Australian Group Training way

Before we look at shaping the future, I’d firstly like to look at the past by sharing some history behind the Australian Group Training model. Group Training in the Australian landscape involves organisations legally employing apprentices across many occupational sectors and, in turn, placing them with a host employer. The Group Training Company essentially manages all the associated paperwork, payroll, taxation requirements, effectively cutting bureaucracy out of the employment of an apprentice.

Group Training evolved in the early 1980’s when industry leaders in the construction and automotive sector developed industry groups to drive this unique and flexible apprenticeship employment model for their sector. The concept was largely developed in response to the needs of small businesses when these individuals found staffing difficult given the unpredictable nature of their operations and work patterns.

By 1990 there were close to 90 Group Training companies employing around 11,000 apprentices. Today in Australia, there is more than 180 Group Training Companies legally employing in excess of 50,000 apprentices, making the Group Training network the single largest employer of apprentices.

In England, this Group Training concept is known as an Apprenticeship Training Agency or ATA. The full capacity of the model is yet to be demonstrated in England having only been piloted since 2009. It must be understood that this agency model is a business that grows very organically as it seeds apprentice commencements, but should not be underestimated as for the opportunity it presents to small businesses that traditionally haven’t employed an apprentice. Another major function of the agency model which should not be overlooked is the structured support to apprentice learners.

Apprentices employed through the agency model have the ability to be placed with multiple host employers during their apprenticeship, which enhances learning experience and develops deeper applied knowledge and skills. If we explore completion rates of an agency employed apprentices in Australia, typically we find successful completion rates are quite higher than traditionally direct employed apprentices. This is due to the quality structured recruitment process that agencies and Group Training provide, particularly for the small business sector that have limited resources and are unfamiliar with recruitment procedures.

The other key element that supports successful completion rates for agency employed apprentices is the solid pastoral care framework that apprentices and host employers receive. The Apprenticeship Training Agency is effectively an impartial third party that monitors the workplace performance of the apprentice, host employer and training provider or college attached to the relationship.

Smaller businesses in England that we currently work with have embraced the employment model, seeing it as the way to assist with the procurement of an apprentice and reducing the associated burdens that are perceived with apprenticeships.

Although there are similarities between England and Australia’s employment and apprenticeship systems, there are naturally many variations. The Australian apprenticeship programme is heavily subsidised by Government, providing employers and Group Training Companies with incentives; in addition to funding associated training costs. Government incentives can assist in reducing some wage associated costs, including training downtime for employers and, if applied in an ethical manner, can reward good employer behaviour.

In light of recent media coverage on quality of apprenticeships we feel confident the agency model can, and will, provide a long-term solid structured safety net to all stakeholders. If we revisit the Australian Group Training model, many organisations are required to operate with eight National Standards for Group Training Organisations, which essentially underpins the operation and are audited by Government State or Territory Training Authorities (STAs). STA’s are responsible for compliance, audit evaluation, including an independent audit program to ensure compliance with the National Standards for Group Training Organisations.

We are optimistic as to the future of apprenticeship training agencies in England and strongly feel that, as the model matures, it will demonstrate success for all parties; apprentices, host employers and local communities.

Ashley Langdon, Chief Executive Officer,
IMPACT Apprenticeships

Harmony Day

To start off our celebration of Harmony day, the student council, magnificently organised a cat walk for all to “strut their stuff”.


At first, everyone was a little shy to show their moves, but once one person was up, the rest followed. Students and staff showed Victoria’s Secret models how to really ‘walk the walk’.


All were very supportive and encouraging of their classmates and colleagues as they fought back their fear of stage fright. Whether they were walking down the tinsel lined catwalk alone or with friends, everyone had a giant smile (or pout) on their face.



After all the good laughs, the Student Council congratulated our winner, Samita Kalia, with an overnight stay in a 4 star hotel for 2. Although she was shocked and surprised, Samita gladly accepted her award.


Then it was time for the geography quiz. Students had to answer 10 questions about the world, its populations and cities. With many giggles and ticking brains, the quiz was completed and scores were added up.



Our lucky winner Sona Vlasakova received the award for achieving 9 out of 10 questions correct. Winning a 3 course dinner for 2 at The Boulevard, Sona received her award with a smile on her face.


With plenty of laughs from everyone, games run by our friendly student council, good food brought by staff and the fantastic hospitality students running the Piccolo Cafe, the day was enjoyed by all those who participated.

Thank you to all those who joined us and supported Harmony Day!

A story of two loves; a partner and the Clarence

Love brought Claire Carter to the Clarence valley six months ago and she has no plan of leaving any time soon.

She met her partner in Sydney when he was visiting his aunty, who just happened to live next door to Claire’s parents.

“He has lived in Clarence Valley for six years. I moved up here to be with him,” she said.

The couple live at Junction Hill.

She also wanted a change from Sydney and its fast-paced lifestyle.

“I’m loving it here, its more laid-back. The faster pace of life in Sydney is too much. We sometimes take the boat out on the river. My partner likes to fish, i just like to sit back and relax.”

Claire also enjoys exploring the areas on foot, going for long walks.

She has also been able to make “a few nice friends“, she said.

Claire works with MEGT Apprenticeships Centre, splitting her time between Grafton and Coffs Harbour.

“Even on the days i go to Coffs, I am spending as much time in the car as i did in Sydney each day. I didn’t go as far, but it took just as long,” she said.

“It was fantastic that i was able to transfer my job up here,” she said.

By Ross Kendall
Daily Examiner
23rd March 2012

Painting a new path

Kathleen Macdonald wasn’t enjoying her work in the hospitality industry so, at age 42, she decided to leave and gain a trades qualification.

In late 2009, the mother-of-four started an apprenticeship and is now on the verge of becoming a qualified painter.

It was a difficult decision to break out of the mould of her previous work, but looking back, Mrs Macdonald said she needed a challenge.

“I always had a passion for painting and I just wanted a change with what I was doing,” she said.

“Because I was a mature-age apprentice there were a few hurdles I had to jump, but I was really lucky when I got the opportunity to start work.”

Travelling 50 minutes to work from Newstead each day, Mrs Macdonald said it’s been a challenge she’d really enjoyed.
“I’m glad to take it on. Sometimes it’s been hard work, it was never something that was going to be easy.”

Mrs Macdonald said trade apprenticeships have “traditionally been a man’s world” but attitudes were changing.

“It’s never been a barrier, I’ve had really great support during my work,” she said.

Her passion for hands-on work has also been passed on to her eldest daughter Samantha, who has just begun an electrical trade.

“She (Samantha) was doing nursing and decided it wasn’t for her,” Mrs Macdonald said. “I’m glad she’s found something that she really wanted to do. I don’t think you should ever limit your dreams. There are plenty of women who like to use their hands and if it’s something you want to do, the opportunities are out there now.”

Skills Victoria apprenticeship field office Pam Ellis agreed there are more opportunities than ever for women to get into trades.
Last year women made up 11 per cent of trades apprenticeships in the Bendigo region.

“We’ve had some great success stories from female apprentices in Bendigo,” she said. Mrs Ellis said traditional trades of building and plumbing still had a majority of male apprentices, but a number of fields have been growing in popularity for women.

“In the automotive area, and in painting and chef apprenticeships, there are a whole number of women taking up places.”
Area manager for apprentice placing services MEGT, Peter Trewhella, said some of Bendigo’s best apprentices placed around Bendigo were women.

“The feedback from employers is that female apprentices have been some of the best listeners and hardest workers,” he said.

Australian Apprenticeships are an Australian government initiative.

Bendigo Advertiser
19 March 2012
Reporter: Josh Fagan

http://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/news/local/news/general/newstead-matureage-apprentice-paints-a-new-path/2481214.aspx

Winner – Tasmanian Training Equity Awards

‘I thought special things happen only to special people,’ says Martin Leeson –  Marty to his friends. But this is Marty’s time to shine and to be recognised for his achievements as winner of the 2011 Tasmanian Training Equity Awards – Vocational Student of the Year on the 19th August.

To achieve what he set out to do – to improve his employment opportunities, Marty has worked hard with Coles, Cosmos Inc, Optia and MEGT Institute. Everyone pulled together to support and encourage Marty, and the five other trainees studying for their Certificate II in Retail,  while he gained on-the-job experience with Coles.

‘During my childhood and teens,’ explains Marty, ‘I have faced many challenges. I have a learning disability and [have found it]  extremely difficult to understand some instruction and communication … as quickly as most people can.’

The frustrations of his challenges affected Marty’s personal relationships and taking his place in the workforce. But he didn’t face his challenges alone and he had the strength of character and determination to grasp the opportunities provided by MEGT Institute, that provided the vocational training, Cosmos Inc, who provided the disability support services and the local Coles store and staff that provided the workplace experience. The whole community has walked alongside Marty on his journey.

When Marty first started at Coles, he worked a couple of days a week in what he explains is called grocery face-up. ’You bring the stock from the back to the front,’ explains Marty. This is so produce is always the freshest on the shelves. As a trainee studying his Certificate II in Retail Marty gained work experience in a new area: in fresh produce. ‘Coles was very impressed that I was working very well,’ according to Marty, and he was offered a full time job in fresh produce.

‘The training helped me get full time work and I got offered jobs that I did not get the opportunity to do before. It has given me more self confidence and belief in myself.

‘My advice to others is, do not be afraid. Give it a go. Just do your best. That is all I have to suggest. You never know what you can achieve if you put your mind to it.’

Once the course was over, and he had qualified, Marty did not expect to hear anything further. He was already pleased with the employment outcomes offered to him at Coles. But since then, he has received accolades as Runner Up in the National MEGT Student of the Year Awards and is now the winner of the Tasmanian Training Equity Awards.

So special things can happen for anyone. Just take Marty’s advice.

What’s it like being an apprentice carpenter?

Dylan Johnston has just finished his three months probation working with MEGT on Porter Davis Homes sites and Graeme Ingleton, his Field Officer turned up for his site visit report.

The houses Dylan is building are on various estates around Melbourne, and Graeme checks not only that he is safe and working well for Porter Davis Homes, but that he has also been attending his off-site Certificate III in Building and Construction (Carpentry) training. It’s the combination of the two that make it an apprenticeship.

Dylan says he’s found the experience so far ‘really, really good. I’ve been working non-stop except for off-site training,’ he explains. ‘I’ve been doing everything from setting out the base, preparation for the wall construction, making the walls up, standing the walls up, connecting them together – just everything.’

At trade school, where he learns alongside other domestic and commercial carpentry students, he has started learning about scaffolding.

Dylan even likes the early morning starts because he can knock off at four o’clock. He has his eyes set on one day becoming a sub contractor and having his own business.

Porter Davis Homes has partnered with MEGT on the Greenhouse project to build six affordable homes in the Clyde North region.

International delegation from Colombia

The country of Colombia is looking to Australia for advice on how to increase the skills of its people through vocational education and MEGT was at the forefront in helping show a delegation how the system operates in Australia.

The Colombian leadership group, hosted by Box Hill TAFE visited the MEGT Institute campuses in Swanston Street Melbourne and the MEGT Institute Trade Skills Centre in Ringwood on 2nd march 2012.

The visitors were extremely impressed, with the knowledge and understanding they gained, with the passion and enthusiasm of the staff and with the standard of our training facilities.

Diana Naranjo, MEGT’s Student Support Services Officer from our Swanston Street campus, was on hand to assist with any of the tricky translations from Australian vernacular. “It was my pleasure to support the visitors,” said Diana. “I am very proud to be involved in what could be the first step towards improving the education and social system in my country Colombia.

“They acknowledge how passionate we are at making a positive change on education, employment, training and social support.”

MEGT successful in securing Australian Apprenticeship Mentoring funding!

MEGT Australian Apprenticeships Centre has been successful in securing Federal Government funding to provide support to Australian apprentices through the Australian Apprenticeship Mentoring Package.

Under the Mentoring Program MEGT will provide targeted mentoring and support to Apprentices 16 to 19 years of age who are undertaking occupations defined on the National Skills Needs List (predominantly traditional trade apprenticeships) employed in organisations with less than 50 employees.

Providing additional support to this cohort will assist in increasing retention rates, particularly in the first year of a young person’s apprenticeship, and in turn will have a positive impact on completion rates.

This exciting new initiative, the Australian Apprenticeships Mentoring Package, is in addition to the free services MEGT already provides to Australian Apprentices and employers through Australian Apprenticeships Support Services.

Read Senator the Hon Chris Evans, Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research, media release:
http://minister.innovation.gov.au/chrisevans/MediaReleases/Pages
/18millionindustryledmentoringprogramtoliftapprenticeshipretentionrates.aspx