Group Training Organisation Program

Creating pathways to renewable energy careers in the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone

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Key details
Benefits for apprentices and trainees
Benefits for employers
Learn more
Get in touch

Key details

The Group Training Organisation (GTO) Program is helping ensure local communities are first in line for the jobs being created by the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ).

With the REZ expected to generate more than 1,800 construction jobs and almost 1,000 ongoing operational roles, this program provides another avenue for locals to gain the skills needed to take advantage of these opportunities.

Supported under the NSW Government’s Renewable Energy Skills Strategy, the $1.5 million Group Training Organisation program will help apprentices and trainees gain the qualifications they need, while making it easier and cheaper for local businesses to employ workers.

Delivered by local not-for-profit organisation, Skillset, in partnership with EnergyCo and the Department of Education, the program removes a key barrier for industry, by allowing employers to support apprentices and trainees for the duration of their project rather than committing to hosting a full four-year apprenticeship.

Central-West Orana REZ women in construction program graduation

Benefits for apprentices and trainees

The GTO program provides comprehensive support for apprentices and trainees throughout each stage of their journey. It covers everything from explaining how apprenticeships or traineeships work and helping you enrol in a course through to to placing you with a host employer and helping you find work once you have completed your qualification.

As an apprentice or trainee, you will benefit from:

individualised mentoring and career guidance
access to free pre-employment, pre-apprenticeship or pre-traineeship courses.
regular wellbeing check-ins with a dedicated support officer
specialised tuition to support your formal training, if required
help resolving any issues that arise, such as transport or employer relations.

Find out more

Across the Central-West Orana REZ, we have a team of locally-based skills coordinators who are your first point of contact for GTO information.

Submit an expression of interest

Or email cwo.skillscoordinator@det.nsw.edu.au

Benefits for employers

The GTO program provides fully subsidised pre-employment and pre-apprenticeship programs and hands-on training and taster experiences, tailored to your organisation’s skills needs.

The NSW Government also subsidises GTO services at no cost to employers, including:

recruiting and screening apprentices and trainees
managing payroll, leave, superannuation, WHS and workers’ compensation
managing formal training and registered training organisation (RTO) requirements
providing mentoring and pastoral support
supporting apprentices and trainees through project shutdowns, performance management or injury.

As an employer, you will benefit from:

reduced administrative burden, enabling you to focus on your business
access to local, skilled and motivated workers
a flexible training model tailored to your organisation’s needs
support to meet your skills needs, including meeting local worker, learning worker and apprentice and trainee training targets.

Submit an expression of interest

Or email cwo.skillscoordinator@det.nsw.edu.au