A south-west program that gives students a taste of different trades has been showcased at an international conference.
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Westvic Staffing Solutions chief Dean Luciani spoke about the multi-industry trade taster program and the Australian apprenticeship system at the International Network on Innovative Apprenticeship conference in Washington DC.
Mr Luciani said the tour cemented his belief that Australia’s vocational education and training (VET) system is world class. “It confirmed for me and the study group that Australia has one best apprenticeship systems in the world, alongside Germany and Switzerland,” he said. “We have a world-class structure and funding model and Australia is one of the few countries to stay true to the apprenticeship model while keeping rigourous support systems in place.”
He said other countries didn’t place as much importance on apprenticeships and vocational training. “For example, the US has only about 150,000 more apprentices than Australia, which is quite extraordinary when you consider the overall population difference,” he said.
Mr Luciani also attended the international VET conference in Abu Dhabi on the tour which was designed to provide an insight into a range of US trade and apprentice training systems and international trends.
It looked at issues such as training delivery models, facilities and equipment, training curriculum and assessment development, engagement with private industry, employers, youth, schools and disadvantaged job seekers and government funding models and priorities.
It comes as Westvic prepares to launch a new campaign on November 18 to create 200 jobs in 100 days in Warrnambool - doubling its previous target of 100 Jobs in 100 Days.
He invited parents and prospective jobseekers to attend to talk to representatives from different trades and vocations at the Emmanuel Centre in Warrnambool from 9am to 1pm.
