SAFETY FIRST FOR APPRENTICES

21 January 2009

SA Unions has called for a "safety first" approach to apprenticeships for your people, particularly those in dangerous trades such as electrical, plumbing and construction.

SA Unions Secretary, Janet Giles says unions like the CEPU are committed to  quality training and apprenticeship programs, but not at the cost of young lives.

"We are always happy to negotiate alternate ways of providing training to young people but we want them to be safe, the public to be safe, and for there to be a real job at the end of it", Ms Giles says.

"That's why we believe the priority should be for more employer based apprenticeships."

"The CEPU has genuine concerns about the standards of safety and quality of training provided under school base programs.  They're not willing to sign up to a program that puts young lives at risk of serious injury and death."

"Unions care deeply about the quality of training, and outcomes of the highest possible standard.  Electrical, plumbing and construction have the highest injury and death rates of all the trades, and if work is not of a high standard, public safety and health is also at risk."

"Unions such as the CEPU have been actively involved in ensuring access to trades for young people in all areas of skills shortages - but they want to ensure that is achieved through proper training and supervision."

"The best way to achieve this skills expansion is for employers to do more to provide traditional apprenticeships in their businesses."

"That way young people are properly supervised by professionals, are operating within the safety standards required of the industry, and have a real job at the end of it", Ms Giles says.