Within my state there is an abundance of apprenticeships on offer weekly, particularly within the Hairdressing, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Cabinet making and Joinery fields. It is factual that young people drop out of apprenticeships around the country, opting in many cases, to commence other apprenticeships.

Quite a few 18-22 yr olds friends with my daughter have all re-commenced apprenticeships; ie swapped one for another. Stable home lives with parents together, not into drugs, play sports, healthy etc which surprised me when some of them slogged out their first apprenticeship for 2.5 years, complained about their employers degrading them or holding them back on performing certain tasks, such as colouring in hairdressing for example.

Another 21 yr old boy [long term platonic friend of my daughter] changed from one apprenticeship to another given that his boss degraded him daily for a couple of years, underpaid him regularly, despite jobs performed brilliantly and congratulated by customers regularly. There are some horror stories circulating to date about the shocking unfair treatment of apprentices [not reported] by many young boys. These kids just keep quiet, spirits low, moving to another apprenticeship, often receiving the same degradation.

Fair rights? All the advertisements over the past few years by Government, stating that they will act and address bullying, degradation and unfair work practices and treatment is CRAP.

When I sat and listened to all of the young people who are friends with my children this year relating to their apprenticeships, my heart ached for them. I offered positive steps and support networks that will actually assist them, yet at the end of the day, their self esteem required addressing and the Bully of an Employer dealt with.

A comparison to illustrate where I am coming from regarding Apprenticeships and dropping out. There were four girls I collected at 3am today from a night out in the city. Three are apprentices. "how is your work going" I asked each, as had not seen a couple of these girls for a while. "Fiiine" they respond. Next, an avalanche of stories explode.

The first stuck to her apprenticeship and now in her 3rd year; her boss was not a bully; rather an 'Educator' and individual who allowed her staff flexibility, encouraged regularly, and rewarded their positive work and behaviour in her Salon.

The next girl Lara stated that she learned 100% more from her second boss within a few months, compared to the boss she had during her initial 3 years of her apprenticeship. The last girl stated that boss number 4 in her Apprenticeship was the best she'd had to date and would finish her apprenticeship this year; yet had decided not to practice hairdressing again. She is going to become a paramedic or something else.

What the Bosses do not comprehend is this fact. During apprentice 'tech days' to undertake their theory, many of the apprentices chat with one another about problems experienced with their Employers ie story swapping. Apprentices quickly discover after comparisons, who the Unfair/and or Bully of Employers are, and who are not. In many Apprenticeships, this results in an Apprentice finding the courage to up and leave, seeking either another Apprenticeship altogether or another Boss within the same field/apprenticeship.

Mining jobs Are to be had by all - who want them . Iwas working Incan Aboriginal community in wa when a company came through and virtually took all the non aboriginal staff mining. You need the tickets but a lot of co
panies prefer untrained because they can train you the way they want. WA is the place but enquire first.