CET Training demand update - day and block release for apprentices in 2022 and 2023

Like many industry sectors, CET has seen an increase in apprentice commencements over the past 18 months, with current student numbers around 50% more than mid 2020 numbers. As a result, our lead times on apprentices commencing their training has grown to around six months. 

There are numerous factors that impact our ability to commence apprentices in a timely manner, including:

• The completion of a pre-apprenticeship
• Day or block release preferences
• Rescheduling of training missed through work commitments or illness
  

As present market conditions are unlikely to change in the next 12-18 months, we will need to limit some options for training. This includes restricting block release classes to apprentices who are required to fly into Perth for training, or who work out of Perth on ‘swings’.

CET has greater flexibility in commencing day release classes than currently providing block release dates. As such, we will not be offering any additional block release dates in 2022. While we strive to accommodate block and day release preferences in 2023, block release dates will be prioritised to those students who do not work or live in Perth.

I appreciate that for some employers, this is a departure from your normal training arrangements with CET, but we have not made this decision lightly. Our staff are currently under enormous pressure to meet the demands, and our capacity is limited by the same labour restrictions that you are facing in your industry sectors. 

We are currently running recruitment drives both locally and internationally, aiming to build our capacity and provide the flexibility you normally receive from CET. 

Please be assured, we are doing all we can to get your apprentice into class, providing them with the latest training. In the meantime, I ask for your patience and understanding.

Steve Hall
General Manager CET

RTO code 2394