Welcome to our very first edition of the new and refreshed 1300apprentice eNewsletter. We hope you will benefit from this flow of information and welcome your feedback and contributions.

Employers: now is the time to consider your apprentice/trainee requirements for 2010. Greg or Samantha at 1300appentice would be happy to talk to you further about your needs for the new year. More so than ever before, it makes good sense to consider using group training to assist you with this process.

Job seekers: get in early and book your interview with 1300apprentice. We are conducting interviews in the October school holidays for apprentice and trainee positions for the following year. Interviews will be held from Tuesday, 6 October to Thursday 8 October and Tuesday, 13 October to Thursday, 15 October 2009. Places are filling quickly. To register your interest contact Rachel or Jessica on 1300apprentice.

As at 12 May 2009, the Tools for your Trade Voucher has ceased and from 1 January 2010 it will be replaced with the NEW Tools for Your Trade (TFYT) Payment. The new TFYT payment will replace the TFYT voucher; the Apprenticeship Wage Top Up (AWTU); and the Commonwealth Trade Learning Scholarship (CTLS). This new payment will consist of the following:

• $800.00 payable after 3 months, 12 months and 24 months
• $700.00 payable after 36 months
• $700.00 payable upon successful completion

For more information, contact your field officer.

The winners of NSW Training Awards held at Sydney's Darling Harbour were announced on Thursday, 10 September 2009. The most inspiring story of the night for 1300apprentice attendees was the NSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year awarded to Dasha Newington. This bright young woman having excelled in her studies at TAFE NSW is now on track to realise her dream and has been accepted into the University of Sydney to commence her Bachelor of Medicine/Surgery. Winners of the NSW Training Awards will now be considered for the Australian Training Awards, which will be presented in Canberra in November 2009.

Even when you feel safe and in control you will need to adopt some smart habits so you are safe every time you get two feet off the ground. Here's what you need to know:
Part 4.3, Division 6, clauses 56-61of the OHS Regulation 2001 is about working at heights.
The employer must ensure that all risks associated with falls from a height are controlled.
To control risks, the employer must provide and maintain the following measures:

• Stable and securely fenced work platforms; or, if this is not reasonably practicable
• Secure perimeter screens, fencing, handrails; or other physical barriers capable of preventing falls or, if this is not reasonably practicable
• Other forms of physical restraint that are capable of arresting a fall from a height of more than two metres; or, if this is not reasonably practicable
• Provision of a safe means of movement between different levels at the place of work.

The Regulation discusses provision and maintenance of physical restraints that are capable of arresting the fall of a person from a height of more than two metres. However, this is only if it is not reasonably practical to provide control measures such as scaffold, perimeter screens, fencing or handrails.

What does all of this mean to you?
1300 apprentices: If you are working above 2 meters YOU ARE working at heights. You, the host employer and all staff need to ensure that the above restraints are undertaken. At the very least your Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should consist of a falls arrestor harness.

1300pprentice Host Employers: 1300apprentice provide all PPE required for apprentices except for falls arrestors which are not included as this equipment is site specific. This is the responsibility of the host employer. If you require any further information on Working from Heights please contact our OH&S Manager, Darren Gibson at 1300apprentice or email on d.gibson@1300apprentice.com.au

Below are some useful Workcover guides to get you started:
Working at heights Resource Book 
Working at heights Guide

How do you make a good impression and feel confident in an interview? Below are some tips to help you prepare for that important interview.

• Do your homework - research the company and also know everything about the trade or qualification you are interested in
• First impressions count - be punctual
• Take pride in your appearance - dress appropriately - no torn jeans, bare midriffs or thongs
• Big no no - don’t chew gum in your interview and turn your mobile phone off
• Greet people in a friendly manner - shake hands and remember to smile
• Be attentive to what people are saying - listen carefully
• You're not expected to be experienced - but that you will learn to become an experienced worker
• Answer questions with as much information as you can - answers such as a simple "yes", "no" or “maybe” are not enough
• Show your interest in the position - ask questions
• End the interview by thanking the interviewer for their time - shake hands and leaving confidently
• Practice makes perfect - practice typical interview type questions with a family member or friend.

29 sept Sign Up For A Job Day – Canterbury
6-8 oct Interviews & testing at 1300apprentice
13-15 oct Interviews & testing at 1300apprentice

If you haven't already visited skillsone.com.au check it out! This is a website with hundreds of videos about getting a trade or skill.

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