Frequently Asked Questions

Supervision Requirements

Q1 ) What supervision requirements are necessary for a fourth year apprentice, eg full supervision at all times? Also how many tradesmen per apprentice?

A1 ) NSW vocational training orders (VTOs) do not contain specific ratios for the supervision of an apprentice in NSW. Some apprenticeship industrial awards contain ratio provisions and may apply where the relevant vocational training orders(VTO) does not specify supervision arrangements. However, should a NSW award be inconsistent with the vocational training order(VTO), the vocational training order (VTO) prevails.

When apprenticeships are approved under NSW training legislation (the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act 2001), approval is given on the basis that supervision is provided as appropriate ie, for an apprentice in a trade there would need to be an appropriately qualified tradesperson available to supervise their training. Generally, a first year inexperienced apprentice would require closer supervision than a relatively experienced 4th year. Such matters are considered on their merits in the subject workplace.

There are references to supervision requirements on the website.

In addition , the Apprenticehip/Traineeship Contract (national format) introduced under the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act, 2001 from 1 January 2002, provides that the employement must "ensure that a person able to demonstrate the relevant competencies will supervise the Apprentices/Trainee in the Workplace"

Should you have concerns about the supervision of a particular apprenticeship, please contact an Training Adviser at the nearest departmental State Training Centre (STC) on 132811.