Apprentices could have less supervision under review by State Government

The SA government says its review of apprentice supervision rules is long overdue but the opposition says unions and industry fear changes will risk leaving young workers unwatched and unsafe.

• Huge challenges to hit State Government’s apprenticeship targets
• How to get the most out of your Advertiser digital subscription

Employers may no longer need to have a supervisor for every apprentice under a plan being considered by a government agency.

A review into supervision quotas, the first of its type in ten years, has been backed by the State Government.

But fears have been raised by the State Opposition that any reduction in supervision will lead to decreased safety.

In South Australia guidelines specify uniform ratios for all apprenticeships and traineeships regardless of the role.

Apprentices in their first and second year/stage are required to be under direct supervision – within visual contact and/or earshot on a constant basis – with a supervision ratio of one supervisor to one apprentice.

Industry and Skills Minister David Pisoni said the government would work closesly with industry during its apprentice safety review.

Apprentices in the third and fourth year/stage of an apprenticeship and trainees are required to be under an appropriate level of supervision as determined by the employer, with a maximum supervision ratio of one supervisor to five apprentices.

Opposition Skills and Industry spokeswoman Clare Scriven, who said both industry and unions have concerns about the review, called on the State Government to immediately rule out reducing supervision ratios for apprentices and trainees.

“The safety of apprentices and other workers must come first,” Ms Scriven said.

“It is essential for young apprentices working in high-risk industries to have high levels of

support and direction.”

Innovation and Skills Minister David Pisoni said SA’s Training and Skills Commission is reviewing supervision guidelines as part of the State Government’s modernising and expansion of the state’s training system.

“The current supervision guidelines haven’t been comprehensively reviewed since they were approved a decade ago,” Mr Pisoni said.

“The Marshall Liberal Government is working closely with businesses through our Industry Skills Councils to ensure South Australians have the skills needed for new and growing industries.

“In a modern economy, new vocational skills are needed – for example, in the technology and service sectors, where the current one size fits all approach to supervision may be obsolete.

“Any recommendations on supervision ratios will be informed by stakeholder consultation.”