Apprentices

As a Kickstart Apprentice, if you have a question about your apprenticeship and you are not sure who to ask, your Kickstart Mentor is available Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 8:00pm to give advice and support and help you during the first few months of your apprenticeship.

We know that starting your first fulltime job as an apprentice, can sometimes be a challenge, so here a few tips that might help.
 

Tip #1:  Welcome to Work

Being in a full time job is really different to being in school. The hours are longer, it’s tiring and you’ve got people telling you what to do all day, everyday. The thing to remember is, IT DOES GET EASIER! 

You have been given an amazing opportunity to learn a trade that will set you up for the rest of your life.  Give yourself some time to get used to it and enjoy the fact that you are actually getting paid to do this.

A few of things to remember:

• The boss is the boss
They are in charge and are paying you to do what they say
They expect you to turn up on time, everyday
They are also paying you to go to TAFE
They expect you to work hard

• You are there to learn
Sometimes you will have to do things that can seem pretty boring, just stick at it and you’ll get the chance to do other more interesting things

• Getting to work
Have a think about how you are going to get there and get home everyday
If you use public transport it might be better to arrive at work a bit earlier each day rather than risk being late
Can you get a lift with a family member, your boss or someone else you work with?

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Tip #2: Bullying

Your employer is legally obliged to provide a safe working environment for all of their workers including you.

Bullying at work can be defined as:
“Repeated, unreasonable behaviour directed toward an employee, or group of employees, that creates a risk to health and safety.”

This goes both ways:

• It means that your boss and other employees are not allowed to bully you
• It also means that some of the things you might have thought were okay at school are definitely not okay at work
If you think you are being bullied, tell someone.  Talk to your boss, your parents, or contact your Kickstart Mentor.

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Tip #3: Know Your Award

Your boss is also legally obliged to pay you under an award.
An award sets out the rights and obligations of employers and workers engaged in particular types of work. There are many different types of awards covering different industries and occupations.

Awards cover conditions of employment including:

• Hours of work
• Pay rates, penalty rates, overtime and other loadings, such as annual leave loading
• Allowances, for example, tools or uniform allowances
• Leave entitlements
• Employment protection provisions, for example, redundancy payments

Question 38 of the Training Contract that you signed with MAS National tells you the name of your award.

If you are not sure you can ask your boss about it or speak to either your parents or your Kickstart Mentor.

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Tip #4: Good Commincation

• Don’t be afraid to ask questions
• If you cannot make it to work or if you are going to be late, ring your boss and tell them
• Your boss can’t read your mind so if there is a problem don’t be afraid say something
• If you are confused about something you’ve been told to do, ask them to explain it

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Tip #5: Outside Of Work

• Are you getting enough sleep?
 You’ll probably feel really exhausted for the first few weeks
• Is your social life affecting your work?
 Depending on what hours and days you work, you might need to make some adjustments to when you go out with your friends
• If you feel like things are getting out of control and need help, don’t be afraid to tell someone. Your Kickstart Mentor is always ready to point you in the right direction.

REMEMBER, THERE’S NO SHAME IN ASKING FOR HELP

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