The vocational education sector in NSW is facing significant challenges, with apprenticeship and traineeship commencements dropping by 33 per cent since 2011.
Tacking the subsequent skills shortage is especially important in a region like Western Sydney. It’s home to around 29 per cent of NSW businesses, contributed one-fifth of NSW’s gross state product in 2022-23 and employs around a third of the state’s workforce – statistics that underscore the region’s crucial role in the state’s economy.
The region’s continuous growth calls for both new and current market players to acquire the latest skills, and with sectors such as automotive, engineering, horticulture and construction all thriving and offering well-paid jobs, taking up vocational training and apprenticeships can unlock the potential for a sustainable career.
Vocational training provider expands to address region’s skills shortage
Aligning with the NSW Government’s initiatives to address the skills shortage, the WPC Group recently announced its expansion into the Western Sydney suburb of Liverpool. This move aims to meet the rising demand for a skilled workforce in the region. WPC Group provides a robust infrastructure for training and apprenticeship programs across Sydney, with the expansion expected to create hundreds of roles in the major suburbs.
“We have seen a surge in demand for skills across various sectors in suburban Sydney and across Australia,” says Frederick Maddern, Chairman of WPC Group.
“With the right infrastructure, we can meet this demand. Our workforce demands hands-on skill learning, and
we are committed to providing the right skills through our learn-while-working approach.”
The new Liverpool office launched in August 2024, marking a new chapter for the vocational education and training provider, with the $1.9 billion infrastructure funding welcomed by the region bringing significant
prospects.
“We offer a variety of trades and skills for apprenticeship, driving greater satisfaction among both employees and employers as we pursue their ambitious targets,” Maddern says.
Diverse range of vocational training options
The booming automotive sector offers several pathways including electrical technology, body repair tech and light and heavy vehicle mechanical technology. The past year has also seen increased interest in electric vehicle (EV) technology, driven by a greener workforce approach. This trend is supported by Federal Government incentives, offering up to $10,000 for apprentices willing to learn clean energy skills.
With emerging technologies transforming industries such as engineering, with advancements like fusion welding, robotics, 3D printing and automation, this sector also offers exciting career opportunities.
Discovering a love of landscaping
But for horticulture apprentice Kody Cooper-Barber, who is currently undertaking his second-year apprenticeship in landscaping while employed by WPC Group and hosted by Nature Link Landscapes and Design, “I really enjoy being outside”.
“On my days off, you’ll commonly find me going on bushwalks, and spending time in nature.”
Prior to enrolling in vocational education and taking on his current apprenticeship in horticulture, Cooper-Barber was working as a manager at Coles, but says he wanted a change of pace and to experience what other options there were.
“That’s how I found my love for landscaping,” he says.
Five years from now, he says his goal is become a foreman for his current employer, and also “continue to mentor apprentices to help them build and develop their skills”.
Horticulture is a growth area
As the third largest agricultural industry in Australia, horticulture demands a workforce with skills
to contribute to the economy as well as Australia’s export growth plans.
For those passionate about this industry, WPC Group offers a variety of qualifications in agriculture, arboriculture, sports turf management, landscape construction and conservation and land management that are designed to help tackle the current skills gap in the sector.
“The horticulture industry, like many others continues to see a shortage of suitably skilled workers, resulting in increased labour costs and delay in some projects commencing,” says Andrew Sezonov, Group General Manager of WPC Group.
“Compounding the problem, not enough younger school-leavers entering this occupational field.”
Sezonov told EducationbDaily that WPC Group work closely with schools and TAFE to source and prepare talent to enter these roles, “and most importantly provide mentoring and support through their apprenticeship to ensure retention rates stay well above industry standards”.
“This ensures a steady supply of skilled talent is trained up,” he says.
Sezenov says a career in horticulture is a strong choice for a range of reasons, including access to ongoing work, the enjoyment of working outdoors, and the opportunity to also be fit and active.
“Working in this industry and taking on an apprenticeship is open to all ages,” he told EducationDaily.
“With the changes in technology and therefore the way we undertake certain tasks, this occupation is rapidly progressing and always has a steady stream of work.”
