an ncylc e-bulletin

Issue #2: May 2004

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Your rights as an apprentice!

For many young people the way to break into the job market is via an apprenticeship. By combining training and on the job experience apprenticeships enable young people to get a start in their chosen career. Unfortunately many young people do not realise what their rights are when they commence an apprenticeship and, as a result of their youth and inexperience, they can be taken advantage of.

In March 2004 the NCYLC was contacted by a young girl who was an apprentice hairdresser in the Sydney region. She had been working in a hairdressing salon for over seven (7) months until she suffered a back injury from having to manually fill up the salon’s washing machine with large buckets of water. Although she went through the appropriate channels and got a doctors certificate explaining her injury and her subsequent day off work, her employer decided to terminate her apprenticeship.

When she contacted the NCYLC she also told us about being bullied and abused in front of other staff members and clients and being called an "idiot" and a "liar". Her employer also threatened that she would never find another hairdressing job in the area as they would spread rumours about her amongst other hairdressers.

The NCYLC was shocked by the treatment of this hairdresser and we set about finding out what her rights as an apprentice are.

According to the Department of Education and Training an apprentice has the following rights;

1) You should have access to the full range of work need to develop your skills

2) You should have access to all the tools and equipment required to develop these skills. This includes safety equipment.

3) You should be properly instructed and supervised in the workplace by a skilled person.

4) Your workplace should be a healthy and safe working environment

5) You should be paid the award wage and in accordance with the award conditions

6) You should be free from any harassment in the workplace

 If you feel as an apprentice that your employer is not providing you with any of these requirements you can contact your local Industry Training Centre (toll free number 13 28 11) These centres are run by the Department of Education and Training and focused on resolving disputes or problems between employers and apprentices. They can provide assistance over the telephone to apprentices or can send a representative to a workplace to discuss the issues and attempt to resolve the dispute

As an apprentice you are also covered by the Anti- Discrimination Act which prohibits discrimination or harassment in the workplace. For further information you can contact the Anti Discrimination Board on 9268 5555 or 1800 670 812.

Katie Felton