The Group Training Association of Victoria is partnering with the Bully Free Australia Foundation to prevent bullying among apprentices and trainees entering the workforce.
“Eradicating bullying behaviour from the workplace is a Herculean task but something must be done to stop the increasing numbers of bullying incidents which are being reported,” says Gary Workman, Executive Director of the Group Training Association of Victoria.
According to the Bully Free Australia Foundation as many as one in every 10 employees across the country are being impacted by bullying.
“We think industry and workplaces should take it upon themselves to prevent bullying before it becomes entrenched,” says Gary Workman.
“We hope that by educating and supporting the current generation of apprentices and trainees we can arm them with the communication skills and confidence to avoid, or at least to cope with, conflict in the workplace,” says Workman.
“It’s easy to forget that apprentices and trainees are still young, even though they are entering the adult world of work,” says Workman. “They aren’t just learning trade skills they are also learning how to behave and fit in the workplace. And so these young adults need support and guidance to develop healthy working relationships with their bosses and colleagues.”
The Group Training Association’s partnership with the Bully Free Australia Foundation, will include training a network of 200 field officers who mentor our 8500 apprentices and trainees across the state.
The goal is for these field officers to educate the current generation of apprentices and host employers with the communication skills and confidence they need to avoid, or at least to cope with, conflict in the workplace.
Gary Workman, Executive Director of the Group Training Association of Victoria is available for interview.
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Leonie Phillips
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e. leonie.phillips@thoughtbroker.com.au
*The Group Training Association of Victoria is the peak body representing group training organisations that employ over 8500 apprentices and trainees across all industry sectors each year in Victoria. www.gtavic.asn.au