Apprentices to get more support through text message check ins

Apprentices and trainees in New South Wales will receive support from the NSW Government with the state-wide roll-out of a ‘text for success’ program designed to help them stay in training.

Six text messages will be sent to align with key events in an apprenticeship based on a successful trial of the program showing a reduction in dropout rates of 16 per cent. The advice includes information on workplace rights, how to seek support and finalise training plans, which helped reduce the dropout rate for first year apprentices.

Designed by Training Services NSW and the NSW Behavioural Insights Unit the service provides apprentices with information and support to boost training outcomes and maintain motivation.

Results from the trial showed apprentices and trainees are more likely to persist with their qualifications when they received the direct digital outreach with the statewide roll out potentially seeing an additional 1850 apprentices and trainees stay in their course each year.

The trial also saw an increase in apprentices seeking support with an additional 552 phone calls and 512 text messages to support services and almost 6,000 clicks to NSW Government online resources.

In addition to the apprentices, employers are supported in that the program assists them in retaining apprentices and avoiding the cost of replacing and retraining them.

The text message service will save businesses a combined $1.1 million in avoided costs related to recruitment, induction, administration, lost time in productivity and other costs from non-completion.

To find out more about this research and how text messages can increase support for apprentices, please see here.