Why would any young person do this?

[i-need-a-martini]

Work for Abbotts "Green Army" for $10 an hour when the minimum youth wage in Australia is around $18 an hour?

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/abbotts-green-army-ready-to-march-but-its-not-...

[boris1gary]

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@kilroy_is_here wrote:
Forcing companies to take on apprentices does not work it's a receipt for disaster.
It's been done before
Unless a company has the staff who are able to correctly teach an apprentice the end result is either a poor tradesman operating in field they are not well educated in or an apprentice that at the end of their time is not able to secure a job.

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yes it has been done before, that's why we have some very highly skilled mostly older tradespeople around. There is no obligation for employers to keep any apprentice. It certainly is not a recipe for disaster.

[fourandsixpants]

supanova said:

..... such schemes are not substitute for proper jobs.  Jobs that mean people can afford to pay rent, save for house, pay mortgage, buy car, educate their kids.  We are creating whole underclass of people who has no chance to have a normal life.

..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................

I agree.

[***super_nova***]

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@paintsew007 wrote:

supanova said:

..... such schemes are not substitute for proper jobs.  Jobs that mean people can afford to pay rent, save for house, pay mortgage, buy car, educate their kids.  We are creating whole underclass of people who has no chance to have a normal life.

..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................

I agree.

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....and, I should have said:  then we blame the victims for their predicament and make their life more difficult than it already is.  There are 728,500 unemployed and only some 150 000 jobs, it does not take much intelligence to realise that somebody is going to miss out.  Does not matter how much you punish those who do not get one of those jobs available.

[fourandsixpants]

Yes agreed again. Also might I suggest you have a read through of thread titled :

One BIG reason why there unemployment in Australia

bugs me that Senator Michaelia Cash Asst Min for Immigration and Border Protection and 'others' have put so much effort into helping large Gas Project corporations e.g. off the NW coast of Western Australia to employ hundreds of foreign workers on about 50% wages of what Australians would be required to be paid. Not talking just mining exploration jobs. Talking about cooks and cleaners etc........BUT the pathetic effort to employ Australians is non existent in comparison.

[bella_again]

The course appears to be very similar to the foundation/intermediate VCAL horticulture course at Tafe.  It does not give you a certificate but some units that are accredited.  It would be rare for a job to come out of it but there could be potential for someone to take up an apprenticeship if available.

Having said that while the government are not following health and safety practices, fair work practices, super and other work place compliances it should not happen.  It is a risk to our young people.  Even my DD at Tafe is covered by insurance during placement.

It is not acceptable, people fought for workplace rights for years, to be treated fairly, protected and paid properly.

The government should be setting an example to employers not going back to the dark ages.  I hope that if someone is injured as a result of this scheme that they sue the behind of the government and hold them to account.

Until the proper work place compliance is in place this should not be happening.