Home topics small-business-resources growing Growing Growing Solution to the skills shortage: apprentices and trainees Nukte O August 4, 2008 While lacking experience, apprentices and trainees can bring practical and financial business benefits . Dive into the recruitment pool of apprentices and trainees to quench your skills shortage drought. The skills shortage is crimping business throughout Australia, but apprentices and trainees can fill the void. Inexperience is not necessarily a negative. Filling these blank slates with industry-specific knowledge can mean you get the kind of employee you need, while contributing to creating a skilled labour force . “From a small to medium-sized business point of view, there are a lot of advantages in taking on apprentices and trainees,” says Jim Barron, CEO of Group Training Australia (GTA). “They help to build and solidify the foundations of a business, particularly for SMEs. They’re really investments.” Barron believes investing in an apprentice or trainee can equal securing the future of a business. By acquiring new skills, new talents, upgraded skills and knowledge, from people who are just coming out of the school system, businesses become prepared to take on the competition. “Look beyond your own backyard. It’s a competitive environment, you’ve got to take on and continue upgrading the skills of your existing workforce.” Apprentices and trainees can also offer their own skills to a business, Barron adds. “A lot of trainees and apprentices matriculate from university back into an apprenticeship, so they bring additional skills and knowledge to businesses.” Reaping some of