Across Berowra, small businesses are facing a perfect storm and nowhere is this clearer than in the growing struggle to attract and retain apprentices.
In conversations with local operators, alongside Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, Shadow Minister for Small Business and Shadow Minister for Skills and Training, it was clear that workforce challenges are now one of the biggest threats to their viability.
At Camerons Nursery, the issue starts even earlier. I was told “it’s not flagged at school, and it’s not really thought of as a career pathway.” As fewer young people enter trades, businesses are left competing for a shrinking pool of workers.
Mitchell Burge from Licensed to Chill A/C highlighted just how broken the pipeline has become: “Last year I contacted 17 schools… only two responded, and only one we went into and took an apprentice from.” For businesses trying to train the next generation, the lack of engagement is both frustrating and unsustainable.
At the same time, the burden on employers continues to grow. Apprentices require supervision, cannot work independently for years, and often don’t contribute enough to cover their cost. Training gaps are compounding the problem, with one employer noting “they’re learning more at work than what they are at TAFE.”
Despite this, many business owners feel current government responses are missing the mark, focused on announcements rather than practical, on-the-ground solutions that make it easier to hire, train and retain apprentices.
If we want strong local economies, we must back the small businesses carrying the load by rebuilding the apprenticeship pipeline and making it viable to train the next generation.
If you are a local business struggling to hire or retain apprentices, I encourage you to share your experience by contacting me at: [email protected]
