Host Employers: Responsibilities when Employing Apprentices

As a host employer, taking on an apprentice offers significant benefits not only for your business but also for the future of the trade and industry. Apprenticeships provide an essential pathway for individuals to transition from learning the basics to mastering their craft, and host employers play a vital role in supporting that development. Whether you’re working with a Group Training Organisation (GTO) like EGT or directly employing apprentices, it’s crucial to understand your responsibilities, obligations, and how to best support your apprentice throughout their journey.

What Does a Host Employer Do?

A host employer is a business or organisation that provides an apprentice with a practical, on-the-job training. In the context of apprenticeships facilitated by EGT, the host employer is responsible for providing the apprentice with exposure to relevant trade work, supervision, and training. The Group Training Organisations (GTO) like EGT are the legal employer for the apprentice, which means EGT handles wages, superannuation, and all employment-related responsibilities. However, the host employer plays a critical role in ensuring that the apprentice receives the training and support they need to succeed in their trade.

Key Responsibilities of a Host Employer:

Supporting Skill Development:
One of the most important responsibilities of a host employer is to assist in developing an apprentice’s skills, taking them from novice to fully qualified tradesperson. In the electrical industry, this involves providing exposure to a variety of tasks and projects that allow the apprentice to be trained and to practice their technical skills in a real-world environment. From installing wiring systems to troubleshooting, your guidance is essential in helping them progress through their apprenticeship.

Providing a Safe and Supervised Work Environment:
The safety of apprentices is paramount. As a host employer, it is your responsibility to ensure that the workplace is safe and that apprentices are not exposed to unnecessary risks. Both EGT and the host employer are Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking as per workplace health and safety legislation, so we work together to make sure apprentices are not exposed to hazards and receive proper training, so they stay safe on site. Host employers are also responsible for the day to day supervision of apprentices as per the Electricity (Licensing) Regulations 1991.

Providing On-the-Job Training:
On-the-job training is the cornerstone of an apprenticeship. Host employers must provide a safe environment where apprentices can gain practical experience that complements their off-the-job training. For example, apprentices in electrical fields need hands-on experience with installing wiring systems, fitting off, testing, troubleshooting, and more. This is where the host employer plays a vital role, providing the necessary training, specialist tools and equipment, and expertise to develop their skills.

Collaborating with the GTO for Off-the-Job Training:
When working with EGT as a GTO, your role as a host employer includes regular communication with the GTO to monitor the apprentice's progress. While the GTO takes care of their off-the-job training, the host employer must ensure that the apprentice has the necessary time and resources to attend training sessions and complete coursework. Collaboration with the GTO ensures a seamless training experience for the apprentice, where both the theoretical and practical aspects of their training are aligned.

Host Employer Health and Safety Obligations

As a host employer, you are legally obligated to ensure the health and safety of your apprentices while they are working at your workplace. This involves a number of specific duties:

1. Inductions - Before apprentices start working on-site, they must undergo inductions that outline the safety protocols and tasks they will be performing. When you become a host employer with EGT, your apprentice will have completed our general induction before they come to you. You are still required to induct apprentices into your company policies and procedures and then complete any site inductions relevant to the host workplaces as well i.e. like any of your employees.
2. Supervision - Your apprentice must be supervised as per the Electricity (Licensing) Regulations 1991 and by someone who can show them how to do tasks safely and correctly.
3. A Safe Work Environment - The host employer must provide a safe workplace for all apprentices. This includes providing information and training, safe work procedures, safety equipment and effective supervision. Read more on WA Gov safe working guidelines and legislation here. 

What You Must Do: Key Host Employer Takeaways

Here is a quick checklist summarising your key responsibilities as a host employer:

• Provide a safe, well-supervised, and supportive work environment for apprentices to learn in.
• Offer on-the-job training and varied experiences to help apprentices develop their skills.
• Ensure apprentices have time to attend off-the-job training and support them through their coursework.
• Regularly communicate with EGT to monitor and assess the apprentice’s progress.
• Ensure that apprentices have access to competent supervision, training and guidance throughout their apprenticeship.

What EGT Take Care Of 

When you hire an apprentice through EGT, we take care of a lot of the work for you! EGT manage the following: 

• Recruitment: Apprentice recruitment and matching the right apprentice to your business needs.
• Inductions: Ensuring the apprentice has completed our induction before they come to you so they are ready for your induction on day one. 
• Paperwork and admin: administering payroll (including superannuation and MyLeave), injury management, workers' compensation and dealing with any grievances and performance issues. 
• Work-ready: All EGT apprentices will be equipped with basic personal protective equipment (PPE), industry-standard tools, EGT uniform and safety boots. 
• College training: EGT arranges and pays for off-the-job training. 
• Paying the extras: EGT covers the cost of 'non-work' days, including college training, approved leave and public holidays. 

The Role of Host Employers in Shaping Future Tradespeople

Becoming a host employer through EGT not only helps to develop skilled electricians in Western Australia but also strengthens your business by building a highly trained workforce. By fulfilling your responsibilities and providing the right support, supervision, and training, you help ensure that your apprentice gains the practical skills and knowledge required to succeed in the electrical industry. Together with EGT, you are helping to build the future of skilled trades in Western Australia, creating a stronger, safer, and more efficient workforce.

If you’re ready to become a host employer with EGT or need more information about how to support your apprentice, contact us today to learn more about our programs and how we can assist you in making the most of your apprenticeship experience.