There are only two ways to continue to grow as a community, either we attract more people to work, live and play here and/or we retain our population that we have.

ATC Midwest recognise that we need to engage, inspire and develop tomorrows leading workforce today. As the leading workforce solutions provider in the Midwest they are investing in strategies to retain our population by showing our youth that there are career opportunities for them locally.

“It’s definitely uncertain for many employers as to whether they will have enough work to carry a full-time apprentice or trainee over the next couple of years”, ATC Midwest General Manager Dave Clare said. “However, we need to show our children, our future workforce, that there are still opportunities here in the Midwest. One of the most economical ways to do that for employers is to put them on a School-based Traineeship or Apprenticeship (SBT/SBA). The employer then gets to develop a relationship with a student who can become a full-time apprentice or trainee on successful completion in 2 years’ time when the economy improves.” Mr Clare added.

SBT/SBA allow senior secondary students to start an apprenticeship/traineeship while also completing the Western Australian Certificate of Education. Under these arrangements the student is both a full-time student and a part-time employee, with the same employment and training responsibilities as other apprentices/trainees. Each student will be with the host employer one day per week over an average of 78 weeks through the school years 11 and 12.

“We are in this together. ATC are willing to give a $1000 rebate to every employer who hosts a SBT/SBA with ATC Midwest upon successful completion of their qualification.” said Mr Clare. “We have a great relationship with all the schools in the Midwest and Gascoyne and the local brokers. We have amazing pre-qualified youth ready to learn and earn, what we need is the continued support of our local business community to show these students that there is opportunity here in the Midwest so that’s why we are showing the business community that we are financially willing to help them get involved”.

If you or your business would like to learn more about hosting a SBT/SBA, contact ATC Midwest today.