Attendees at MEGT’s recent apprentice event at the Echuca Workers.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
Melbourne East Group Training held an apprenticeship information session at Echuca Workers on Tuesday, November 26.
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Local employers were invited to share their experiences of hiring apprentices and trainees at the event, and to showcase work opportunities in the region.
MEGT, the country’s largest Apprentice Connect Australia Provider, hosted the event to link local students, school-leavers and adults with employers.
Around 25 vacancies were advertised on the night, with most employers in attendance to speak to about the roles, including glaziers, hairdressers and mechanics.
MEGT apprentice field consultant Mahir Ozdilek addresses the crowd.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
Apprenticeship field consultant Mahir Ozdilek, who has worked in the region at MEGT for a decade and has enrolled over 4000 apprentices or trainees, said he had never seen more than 20 vacancies available at the same time before.
MEGT state manager Blake Wallace said vacancies usually spiked in December, with most apprentice roles beginning from January to March.
Mr Wallace said the event went well and had a strong attendance, with around 45 prospective apprentices enrolled.
“It was a really successful event. We had a great turnout of people ... a good mixture of young people who have just graduated Year 12 or are still in school,” Mr Wallace said.
Mya Warde, William Balkin, Stephen McKee, Kay Williams and Gaylene Whitten headed the event’s panel discussion.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
A panel discussion was held, with three employers and two apprentices speaking about their experiences with apprenticeships and traineeships.
Mr Wallace said the discussion helped to open the lines of communication for those looking to apply for vacancies.
“Once the panel discussion finished, we did see people really taking the opportunity to go and talk to employers,” he said.
As apprenticeship openings often aren’t formally advertised in regional areas, Mr Wallace said the event helped employers and employees to connect more easily.
“Bringing the jobs to the people is great,” Mr Wallace said.
“Because a lot of employers operate in many ways by word of mouth, we help to reverse-market people into those apprenticeships.”
Mr Wallace said MEGT was concentrating resources in regional areas, and hoped to hold similar events every six months, with upcoming sessions in Shepparton and Ballarat.
“Our focus at the moment is regional, to support industry in the regions, which we’ve been operating in for many, many years,” he said.
“Going that extra mile in the regional areas to help people build connections is what we’re committed to do.”
Mr Wallace said he encouraged employers and jobseekers to reach out to MEGT by calling 13 MEGT (6348) to be connected to local free services.
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