VARIATION TO RATIO OF APPRENTICES TO WORKPLACE TRAINER / SUPERVISOR

GUIDELINES & EMPLOYER / HOST EMPLOYER PROCEDURE

PLEASE NOTE: The following ratios may not apply to apprentices in the Electrotechnology area

Section 47, subsection 6 of the Northern Territory Employment and Training Act 2004 states that:

The ratio of trainers to apprentices specified in an approval is to be:

• one trainer in relation to each apprentice: or
• if the Authority is satisfied that it will not adversely affect the training of an apprentice - the ratio, of not more than 4 apprentices in relation to each trainer, that the Authority thinks fit and specifies in the approval.

The Department of Education and Training (DET), has advised Australian Apprenticeships NT that a variation in the ratio of trainers / supervisors will only be considered in exceptional circumstances.

Before an application for variation to the ratio of trainers / supervisors to apprentices in the workplace will be considered by Australian Apprenticeships NT, the following must be provided in writing:

• Letter from Employer / Host Employer addressed to: The Manager, Australian Apprenticeships NT, GPO Box 3049, DARWIN NT 0801. The letter must explain how the training will take place, and provide justification that the quality of on-the-job supervision and delivery of the training and assessment activities to the apprentices will not be adversely affected if the ratio of trainers / supervisors to apprentices in the workplace exceeds a one-to-one ratio.
• Details of qualifications and / or experience of on-the-job trainers / supervisors: The qualifications and / or experience of the on-the-job trainers must be relevant to the qualification being undertaken in the proposed apprenticeship to ensure that the apprentice will receive appropriate workplace training over the nominal duration of the Training Contract. A list of the proposed apprentices, together with the names of the on-the-job trainer / supervisor and details of qualifications and / or experience is to be submitted with the application letter.
• Enterprise / business organisational chart showing where the apprentices and the on-the-job trainer / supervisor are placed within the organisation

An employer workplace site visit will be conducted by an Australian Apprenticeships NT Field Officer prior to any variation to ratio of workplace trainer / supervisor being approved. At this time the Australian Apprenticeships NT Field Officer will need to meet with both the employer / host employer and potential apprentices. Advice of approval / non approval of application will be provided, in writing, to the employer / host employer.

Note: If a person or organisation is not satisfied with a decision made, section 70 of the Northern Territory Employment and Training Act 2004 allows for the review of decisions and resolutions of disputes.

Australian Apprenticeships NT gives recommendations to the Department of Education and Training, who will make the approval or non approval decision.

For further information please contact:

Lisa Dodds

Assistant Manager - Client Services

Phone: (08) 8935 8200