Victorian Employer Award for Apprentice Development

Category information

The Victorian Employer Award for Apprentice Development will be presented to an employer for demonstrating innovation and excellence in the implementation of initiatives that enrich and extend the development of apprentices beyond their formal training.

This award is open to employers of one or more apprentices (not trainees). Employers can be nominated by an Industry Training Advisory Board, Employer association; Australian Apprenticeship Centre, RTO, apprentice, or they can nominate themselves. In all nominations, evidence of support from the RTO and apprentice relevant to the nomination must be provided.

Eligibility and Conditions

To nominate for the award the employer must;

• Employ at least one apprentice who has completed an apprenticeship between 1 October 2010 and 30 September 2011, leading to a nationally recognised qualification. The apprentice must have had a training contract registered with Skills Victoria and evidence of the training contract must be submitted with the application.
• Not have any history with Skills Victoria of disputes or issues with apprentices.
• Agree to the full Conditions of Entry.

Preparing your application

• Applications are to be in 12 pt font and a maximum of fifteen (15) A4 pages including attachments. Any material in excess of fifteen (15) pages will not be forwarded to the judging panel.
• The award criteria should be the focus of your application, however, any relevant evidence may be provided so long as it does not exceed the required page limit.

Section A: Overview

Provide an overview of the initiative, program or product(s) delivered, including objectives, a description of the environments in which the programs are delivered and any specific challenges which have been overcome in the implementation of the training program.

Section B: Applicants will be judged against the following criteria

• Criterion 1: Overview of the initiative, program or product
• Criterion 2: How you as the employer have been involved in developing and providing innovative development opportunities for your apprentice(s)
• Criterion 3: Why the initiative or program is successful and how it has impacted on the business
• Criterion 4: How will this initiative or program be evaluated and how will the initiative be sustained into the future?

Addressing the criteria

When developing your application against the award criteria, you may wish to take into account some of the considerations outlined below, if they are relevant to your organisation. These suggestions are not additional criteria, but are provided to give clarification of what may be relevant to include.

1. Overview of the training initiative, program or product

Consider:

• What is the initiative/program?
• How did the initiative/program originate?
• Details of the external environment in which the organisation operates
• How is the initiative/program being implemented?

2. How have you as the employer, been involved in developing and providing innovative training opportunities for your apprentice(s)

Consider:

• What induction program exists for apprentices at the organisation?
• Detail your innovative initiative and how it was developed
• What is the aim of the initiative?
• How has on the job training been enhanced as a result of the initiative?
• How have you worked with the apprentice’s training provider to monitor and enhance your apprentice’s progress through their training?

3. Why the initiative or program is successful and how it has impacted on business

Consider:

• How has the initiative broadened the range or scope of work usually available to an apprentice in their trade area?
• How has the initiative/program encouraged the acquisition of higher level skills beyond the apprenticeship qualification?
• What access was there to on and off the job supports or mentoring and how did this assist the apprentices to progress through their apprenticeship?
• How did this initiative positively engage the workplace staff (beyond the immediate supervisor) in the support and development of the apprentice?
• How did this initiative engage apprentices from backgrounds that are under represented in the relevant trade area?

4. How will this initiative/program be evaluated and how will the initiative/program be sustained into the future?

Consider:

• Detail systems and processes for continuous improvement, including evaluation and review.
• What plans are in place to ensure long term sustainability?
• What happens if the initiative does not continue?

What assistance can I get to write my application?

A seminar to assist nominees to write effective applications will be held on Wednesday 6 April 2011 at 4.30pm at Treasury Theatre, Lower Plaza, 1 Macarthur Street.

Checklists

Nomination Checklist

When completing your application, check that you:

• Meet all of the eligibility requirements for the category;
• Use 12 point fonts only;
• Keep to twenty (20) A4 pages including attachments;
• Directly address the criteria in your written application;
• Read and agree to conditions of entry;
• Meet the deadline of 6 May 2011 at 5pm (date all applications need to be received);
• Submit online.

Criteria Checklist

Have you answered all of the following criteria?

• Criterion 1: Overview of the collaboration
• Criterion 2: How is the collaboration beneficial to the industry or enterprise sector?
• Criterion 3: Why the collaboration is effective and what impact does it have on the enterprise and its employees?
• Criterion 4: How will this collaboration be evaluated and how will the collaboration be sustained into the future?

As this is a new award there are no previous winners.