WHAT EMPLOYERS WANT

APPRENTICE QUALITIES:

demonstrates willingness to learn

passion to succeed

keen

good maths skills

social skills

able to work productively in a team

well dressed

honest

stride to improve

thurst for knowledge

three employers from perth were interviewed and asked about their opinions on their trade and what they want from a good apprentice.

STEVEN COOK: left school at 15 and started training in wall and floor tiling. at 16 enroled at bulga tafe and completed his building certificate. from an apprentice he expects that the apprentice will demonstrate willinigness to learn, understand the full cost of employment, have a passion to succeed and roughly match the labour cost that the apprentice costs the employer.

RAY HALL: aged 47, has had 35 years experience as a boiler maker welder. his impression of a good apprentice is a keen, well dressed, polite young person with good maths skills and appropriate schools marks.

ROD SLATER: automotive consultant.

was a high school drop out, started work at 14 as an automotive mechanic. insists on meeting parents before meeting apprentice.

advice given to apprentices from rod.

be honest and own up when they think they have made a mistake.

develop a good buisness brain, dont do drugs and show respect.