The Big Build Pre-Employment Support Program provides eligible candidates with pre-employment training, job preparation and support.
These four-week programs were offered between August and November 2023, to candidates who were intending to secure a full-time apprenticeship (up to 4 years) or traineeship (up to 2 years) in the construction sector.
- Offered over four weeks, the Pre-Employment Support Program consisted of entry-level units of competency, employment readiness and supports to transition successful candidates into employment. The training will take place at Holmesglen’s Drummond Street Chadstone Campus.
- Prospective candidates gained access to this program following a pre-selection process conducted by the Apprenticeship Employment Network (AEN) and assessment for admission into the program by Holmesglen.
- Participants were eligible to receive support payments while undertaking the program to remove barriers to participation.
- Participants received personal protective equipment.
- Training occurred on-site at the TAFE training centre for 4 days per week, over 3 consecutive weeks.
- On the other day, group training organisations (GTOs) arranged additional non-accredited employment preparation, industry visits, and provided mentoring.
- Attendance at all sessions was required to qualify for completion of the program.
- Upon successful completion, participants had the opportunity for employment with a GTO in a construction-related apprenticeship. Participants could be directly employed by a GTO where they were rotated across a range of host employers for the duration of their apprenticeship.
- If successful in obtaining a job, participants were expected to perform most of their initial work on smaller projects before progressing to a Big Build project.