JM & SM Zagami Builders
John Zagami has been working as a builder in East Gippsland for around 28 years and has been hosting GGT/AV apprentices for most of that time.
Many of our host employers are small business owners like John, who rely on us to provide flexible apprenticeship solutions for their business. John is currently providing work for 2 of our carpentry apprentices, and has contributed over the years to the success of many more young, local people.
John (left) is pictured here on site during a visit from Grant Sarolea, one of our GGT/AV field officers for the East Gippsland region.
JM & SM Zagami Builders
Call 0417 032 002
Hire an Apprentice
Trades
GGT/AV has apprentices currently available in the following trades :
Automotive (Light Stream)
Automotive (Heavy Stream)
Automotive (Spare Parts Interpreter)
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Business Administration Traineeships
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Carpentry and Joinery
Electrical & Electrotechnology
Engineering (Fitting and Turning )
Engineering (Boilermaking)
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Plumbing & Gas Fitting
GGT/AV can also offer appreticeships in other trades, at the request of a Host Employer, particularly where the employer can guarantee a long term placement. For more information please contact General Manager Mr. Mark Knox +613 9613 6708.
How it works
We employ around 1200 apprentices in a group training arrangement . This is the most important service that we offer to employers.
- You can hire these apprentices from us for short or long periods.
- Because they are our employees, we take care in recruiting, selecting and training our own apprentices, and carefully monitor their progress throughout the apprenticeship.
- We match our apprentices with a host employer in their region. The apprentice works for the host employer on a full time basis, like any other employee.
- We sponsor or pay for the training (or part of the training) of each apprentice. The host employer does not pay training fees, although an allowance is made for some training costs in formulating hourly hire rates. Part of their training and assessment may be delivered in your workplace, if you prefer.
- After four years, their apprenticeship is completed and the apprentice fully qualified. They are released from employment with GGT/AV and their host employer usually has the ‘first option' to employ them, although there is no requirement that they do so.
How do I get started?
There is no risk in finding out how to hire an apprentice. One of our field officers (all qualified tradesmen themselves) will contact you to find out what sort of person you are seeking, and the work you have on offer. They can answer any questions you might have. This is a free service, with no obligation - you won't be pushed to sign up an apprentice on the spot. We understand that not every business is able to support an apprentice.
If you decide to proceed, your field officer will introduce you to one or more of our GGT/AV apprentices. Apprentices may be in their first, second, third or fourth year; with the hiring cost proportionate to their rate of pay. We usually have apprentices available to start straight away. If not, we can advertise and recruit an appropriate person in your trade, at our own cost.
Once you have an apprentice, you will be asked to sign a Host Employment Contract with GGT, which your field officer will provide. This is a short (2 page) agreement between GGT/AV and the host employer, setting out what each party is agreeing to provide. It doesn't lock you into a long term contract with us.
Most of our apprentices will have completed 8-16 weeks of Front End Training before they reach your workplace, so they will already understand what some of your expectations as an employer are. They will have received training in workplace communication, the use of hand and power tools, will have done a first aid course and Occupational Health and Safety requirements and understand the basics of their trade.
At the end of each week, the apprentice will fill out a time sheet that they will ask you to confirm and sign. This provides us with information on how many hours they worked during that week. The apprentice is paid weekly by GGT. Each month you receive a single invoice which bills you for the actual hours that the apprentice worked. You are not invoiced for training days, annual leave or sick days, or days that the apprentice is injured. An allowance is made for these in our hire rates, so you will not be billed for days that the apprentice is not at work.
Every apprentice and host employer has their own GGT/AV field officer on call. Your field officer will visit the apprentice regularly (usually once per month) in the workplace to assess their progress and assist you both with any problems or issues. You can also contact the field officer at any time for advice, or to request a visit.
How we operate
- We value your involvement in our business;
- We care about the regions that we serve and work with partners in education and training;
- We always strive to keep our invoice costs as low as possible;
- We remain in regular contact with both hosts and our apprentices, to ensure each placement is running smoothly;
- If you are not satisfied with an apprentice's performance, we can arrange a replacement;
- We tailor our training and employment services to meet industry needs;
- We are constantly working on new ways to add service and value to your involvement with GGT/AV. We are happy to meet with you at any time to discuss how GGT/AV can meet your business needs.
Would you like to find out more?
Please download our full Host Employer Guide, which explains in more detail what is involved in hiring an apprentice from GGT/AV.
For a free, no obligation consultation, please call our General Manager-Operations, Mr. Mark Knox on 0438 330 241, or request a field officer visit by sending us an email.