What a start to the month it has been! With everyone now well and truly settled back into TAFE for the year, the work towards the 2012/2013 recruiting season has begun again. The end of March and early April will see our recruitment team visiting Campbelltown, Liverpool, Penrith, Fairfield and Blacktown as part of the ‘Get That Job Expos’. These are a joint initiative between several group training organisations. See below for more details.

As you may be aware, late February and early March saw much of NSW inundated with extremely heavy rainfall resulting in several floods that effected many rural communities across NSW. 1300apprentice would like to send our best wishes to all affected by the floods and hope that your are back on your feet as soon as possible.

1300apprentice are sad to announce that after four and a half years of dedicated service our Business Development Manager, Samantha Leet is moving on to a new role. We would like to wish Sam the best of luck in her future and thank her for her fabulous contribution in many areas of our company.

Meet Meagan Thorpe, our Apprentice and Trainee Officer for the Illawarra and the Southern Highlands. Meagan started with 1300apprentice in November last year and we’re extremely pleased to have her as part of our team.

Meagan brings with her a wealth of experience having worked across a variety of industries and roles including employment services at an Australian Apprenticeship Centre, a Registered Training Organisation and another Group Training Organisation. Meagan also has first hand experience with the plumbing, hospitality and the horticulture industries.

We asked Meagan what she enjoys most about her current role with 1300apprentice and she replied by saying “I really enjoy the diversity that I have in my current role and seeing the different apprentices and trainees that I monitor, progress through their apprenticeships and traineeships. I also enjoy working with our host employers to knock down the barriers that exist in the industry so that as a GTO, we are truly delivering value to their business. The people I work with are what makes this role most enjoyable”.

On the outlook for the Illawarra and Southern Highlands region for the future Meagan recognises that the area on a whole are very supportive of traineeships and apprenticeships and is very much looking forward to continuing the ongoing promotion of both in the area.

If you would like to meet with Meagan to discuss any opportunities for your business, please feel free to contact her either by calling 0428 186 392 or sending an email to m.thorpe@1300apprentice.com.au.

1300apprentice is currently looking for a candidate to fill a Certificate III Instrumentation and Controls apprenticeship in West Ryde.

This is an interesting and hands on trade in the Electrotechnology field that will see you learn the in's and out's of selecting, installing, setting up, fault finding, repairing and maintaining systems and devices used for measurement and recording of physical/chemical data as well as the associated process control.

Our host is a global business that offers great career progression opportunities and is firmly entrenched in the growing energy efficiency field. This apprenticeship is completed over four years and will require you to complete a Certificate III Instrumentation and Controls at TAFE. This trade falls under the Electrotechnology training package but doesn’t qualify you to become an Electrician.

To see what some of the work that an instrumentation and controls apprentice does on a daily basis, click here to watch this video from SkillsOne.

If this trade appeals to you, click here to apply for this apprenticeship.

Did you know that when comparing fatigue to alcohol that:

• Being awake for 17 hours impairs performance to the same level as having a 0.05 blood alcohol content; and
• Being awake for 20 hours impairs performance to the same level as having a 0.1 blood alcohol content.

More information on fatigue and the management of fatigue in the workplace especially if you have employees working shifts at various times of the day and night can be found on the Workcover website.

1300apprentice has recently released our policy for the usage of Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs) in the workplace as part of our ongoing dedication to workplace health and safety. Click here to view our web-based PDF of the policy and if you have any questions regarding the policy and/or the usage of PEDs in the workplace, please do not hesitate to contact our WH&S Manager, Darren Gibson on 0407 663 086 or d.gibson@1300apprentice.com.au

Did you know that WorkCover have just launched the Small Business Rebate Program.  The rebate of up to $500.00 is great news for many of our host employers to help with the purchase and installation of safety improvements across their workplace.  To find out more about the program click here to go to the WorkCover website.

For the month of February 1300apprentice has two injuries to report, the first being a laceration to an apprentice's right thumb and the second injury being a crush injury to the finger. Click here to view our latest safety alert on crush injuries.

Nominations for the 2012 NSW Training awards close 30 March 2012. The NSW Training Awards recognise the achievements of students, trainers and employers in the NSW vocational education and training sector. For more information on the awards and how to enter click here.

Congratulations to the following people who have completed their training since the last eNewsletter:

Jemma Taylor – Certificate III Business (Medical)
Nicole Lehane – Certificate III Business
James Sequen – Certificate III Business
Quade Nichols - Certificate III Electrotechnology Electrician
James Buchan – Certificate III Electrotechnology Electrician
Daniel Druce – Certificate III Carpentry
Antonino Scriva – Certificate III Shopfitting

Interested in an apprenticeship or traineeship?  Are you unsure of your career path and need more information?

Come along to one of the free ‘Get That Job’ career expos that are being held at the end of the month, it will certainly help you kick start your career. At the expo you will get a chance to meet professional and experienced people from several group training organisations who will be able to assist you with choosing your career path or provide you with more information about a career you may have already chosen.  Our 1300apprentice representative, Chad Smith will also be able to give you tips on how to prepare for an interview and answer any questions you may have on how to land that job.  Details of the dates and locations of these expos are below and if you require further information please contact Chad on 9715 7344 or c.smith@1300apprentice.com.au.

26 March 2012
The Richmond Club, Richmond

27 March 2012
Wests Leagues, Campbelltown

29 March 2012
Liverpool Catholic Club, Liverpool

30 March 2012
Penrith RSL, Penrith

30 March 2012
Cabravale Diggers, Fairfield

4 April 2012
Blacktown RSL, Blacktown

1300apprentice is again exhibiting at the HR Summit this year at Luna Park on 28 and 29 March. 

Click here to register for the free industry expo and workshops and don't forget to call by our stand and say hallo.

For more information on the HR Summit 2012 click here to view their website or follow the Twitter hash tag #hrsummit_au.