The Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) is putting employers on notice to withdraw apprentices and trainees from regular work duties so they can undertake training.
As an employer of an apprentice or trainee, you must:
- make sure they enrol with a registered training organisation
- withdraw them from regular work duties to undertake training.
In recent field work, we found cases of apprentices or trainees not given the time and space to undertake training or to complete assessment tasks in the workplace. This is not permitted. This employer obligation is not an option – it’s a legal obligation.
For most apprentices and trainees, this means allowing them to leave work to attend off-the-job training. In other cases, a registered training organisation delivers training in the workplace. In both cases, the employer must withdraw the apprentice or trainee from regular work duties to undertake the training.
We are on the lookout for these cases where this isn’t happening and will act when we find them. It could lead to revocation of your approval to employ apprentices and trainees in Victoria.
Employers with questions about their obligations, or any apprentice or trainee with concerns can contact us on: