Group Training Organisations

The ‘Group Training’ scheme was established in the 1980s as a way to ensure the continuation of employment of apprentices and trainees.

Group Training Organisations (GTOs) employ Australian Apprentices and hire them out to different businesses on a short or long-term basis. The GTO takes on the contractual and administrative responsibilities of the employer, recruits the apprentice or trainee, and provides support with work and training for the apprentice, trainee and host employer for the full term of the contract.

A GTO assists apprentices and trainees to make a successful transition into the skilled workforce.

Benefits of using a Group Training Organisation

Group Training Organisations make it very simple for a business to take on apprentices and trainees.  A GTO provides business with the flexibility to meet peak workloads and seasonal variations with the ability to:

• Employ for a specific period of time if workloads increase or there is a skills gap.
• Reduce staffing levels by placing the apprentice or trainee with another Host Employer to continue their work and training.
• Find a replacement if the apprentice or trainee is not performing.
• Advertise, screen, interview and select the apprentice or trainee with host employer input.
• Arrange the training provider and obtain regular progress reports.

The Group Training Organisation will:

• Complete and submit all the government paperwork for the apprenticeship or traineeship.
• Undertake the employer responsibilities including payroll, allowances, superannuation, workers compensation, sick or holiday pay and other employment benefits.
• Provide structured performance management and monitoring, at work and at trade school leading to successful completion of the apprentice or trainee Training Contract.
• Assist host employers with workplace health and safety responsibilities and requirements.
• Insurance and workers compensation responsibilities are assumed by the GTO.
• Comprehensive Workplace Safety Induction & basic safety equipment is provided to apprentices and trainees.

How it works

Step 1: Register

Contact your local Group Training Organisation to register your vacancy for an apprentice or trainee. You can find a list of Group Training Organisations that can be filtered for your state or territory on our Service Provider Search.

Step 2: Identify vacancy and candidate

After some initial work with the GTO and a site safety audit, your vacancy will be filled and you can keep focusing on developing your business.

Step 3: Final steps

You sign off your apprentice or trainee as competent and either keep them on in a more challenging role or take on a new apprentice or trainee – or if your business is thriving, you can do both.