Today, some of the State's leading apprentices and trainees will sit down with NSW Skills Minister Steve Whan to share their views on how to improve the apprenticeship and traineeship system.
The Vocational Education and Training (VET) Ambassadors will travel to Dapto for a roundtable to provide feedback as part of the NSW Government's Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act Review.
The Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act Review is part of the Minns Labor Government's commitment to address skill shortages and a key action under the NSW Skills Plan.
It aims to strengthen the apprenticeship and traineeship system by making it easier to navigate and better matched to the real-world needs of priority industries like construction, care and support, technology, and clean energy.
Today's event involves conversations with past winners and finalists from the NSW Training Awards who represent diverse industries including engineering, health, hospitality, education, and construction.
They also represent school-based apprentices and trainees (SBATs), women in trades and regional apprentices and trainees.
The VET Ambassadors will talk about their experiences as apprentices, trainees, students, and trainers in a facilitated discussion and Q&A session, offering insights into what works well in the system and where improvements could be made.
Their feedback will help to make the system simpler, fairer, and more effective.
More than 8,000 survey responses have already been received, with emerging insights pointing to the importance of consistent workplace support, stronger awareness of learner entitlements, and streamlined processes to lift completion rates.
The Dapto consultation is one of several events being held across the state as part of the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act Review, to help ensure that reforms are shaped by the people who know and use the system.
NSW Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan said:
"Hearing directly from people who have lived the experience is essential to make sure this review delivers real improvements for apprentices and trainees, trainers and employers.
"The feedback from today's roundtable will help us create a system that is simpler, fairer and gives every apprentice and trainee the best chance of success.
"Apprenticeships and traineeships are vital to building the workforce NSW needs for its economic prosperity, and this review is about making sure the system continues to evolve and deliver."
Member for Shellharbour, Anna Watson said:
"I'm very pleased that Minister Whan is visiting Dapto for a roundtable consultation to provide feedback as part of the NSW Government's Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act Review, with VET ambassadors having the opportunity to talk about their lived experiences.
"The aim is to strengthen the apprenticeship and traineeship framework by making it easier to navigate, more flexible, and better matched to the needs of the community."
Member for Kiera, Ryan Park said:
"This consultation will help us further strengthen the Vocational Education and Training system, which continues to support individuals in gaining valuable, life-long skills.
"By listening to those on the ground, including VET Ambassadors, we're ensuring the system remains relevant, effective, and empowering for all learners."
Member for Wollongong, Paul Scully said:
"Making sure the NSW apprenticeship and traineeship system works for people in training is central to building the skilled workforce we are going to need for the future.
"Every industry is looking for skilled workers and as we look at redesigning the system we want to hear directly from those who are in it so we are getting the best information on how we can make the system better.
"The feedback from the Dapto session will be important input into designing the vocational education system for NSW's future."
Member-elect for Kiama, Katelin McInerney said:
"Hearing from our apprentices and trainees isn't just good practice-it's essential for our future.
"These are the skilled workers who will build the infrastructure our region needs and deliver the health services our communities depend on. Their insights today shape the quality of essential services tomorrow."
