Wilmar Training and Development Manager Scott Young joined experts last week to speak about Wilmar’s apprenticeship success.

Hosted by the Honourable Di Farmer, Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development, the Breaking Down Barriers for Apprentices event featured four panellists representing various perspectives on the trade training industry. They were an apprentice, an employer (Wilmar), a union, and an industry body.

Through a Q&A format, each panellist shared their experience of the industry and their views on the current trade training environment in Queensland, including some of the challenges facing apprentices.

Scott said the event was a great way to understand all sides of the trade training industry

He spoke about Wilmar’s successful approach to managing and supporting apprentices throughout their trade training. Wilmar currently has one of the highest apprenticeship completion rates in the country.

“Our apprenticeship model comes from a holistic approach starting at recruitment. We have a structured onboarding process and consistent monitoring of the apprentices throughout their training,” Scott said.

He said it was important to factor in other aspects of apprentices’ lives, to mentor them throughout their formal training blocks at Tafe, ensure they learnt life skills, and highlight the importance of wellness and mental resilience, both in and out of the workplace.

“We ensure we assign quality supervisors and mentors, and our Training Superintendent Daniel Shipard is there throughout their entire apprenticeship to provide assistance and oversight for all of our apprentices.”

Wilmar currently has a five-year average apprenticeship completion rate of 98 per cent - well above the industry average.

Applications for our 2023 apprenticeships open on 9 July.