Vic Government launches taskforce to make things easier for trainees and apprentices

The Victorian Government has established a new taskforce, established to boost fairness and safety across Victoria for apprentices and trainees.

Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney and Minister for Industrial Relations Tim Pallas announced the first members of the Apprenticeships Taskforce, a new representative body established through the Victorian Budget 2023/24, on Sunday.

The Taskforce will advise the Victorian Government and provide recommendations to improve safety in workplaces across the state – ensuring more apprentices and trainees have a successful start to their career.

The lived experiences of apprentices and trainees will be at the heart of the Taskforce, with representatives from unions, various sectors and industries, and informed by an Apprentice and Trainee Reference Group. 

“This Taskforce is a win for employers, apprentices and for fairness – we’re making sure safety and equality are at the heart of this workforce,” Mr Pallas said.

Former General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) Sharan Burrow has been named as Chair of the Taskforce. 

Justice Iain Ross, previously President of the Fair Work Commission and Federal Court Judge, will serve as a Special Adviser. Taskforce members representing unions and industry will also be appointed over the next month. 

The $1.5 million Taskforce will be delivered by Apprenticeships Victoria and will address regulatory arrangements, incident responses, employer screening processes, complaint reporting and improve accountability. 

The United Workers Union has been named as an employee representative, along with: 

• Victorian Trades Hall Council 
• Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union 
• Electrical Trades Union
• Young Workers Centre
• Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union
• Plumbing and Pipe Trades Employees Union
• Australian Workers Union.

Employer representatives invited include: 

• Apprenticeship Employment Network
• Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce
• Master Builders Association of Victoria
• Master Plumbers
• National Electrical and Communication Association
• Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Australian Industry Group. 

“Apprentices and trainees are the future of Victoria’s workforce, and we’re ensuring that their training is in a safer and supportive environment that sets them up to succeed,” Ms Tierney concluded.