Group Training Organisations (GTOs)
Group training organisations (GTOs) support the apprenticeship and traineeship system in Australia by providing:
- employment for apprentices and trainees
- administrative support to employers who host these apprentices and trainees
- additional employment opportunities for apprenticeships and traineeships that otherwise might not have existed.
On this page:
What is a Group Training Organisation?
A group training organisation employs apprentices and trainees. The apprentice or trainee is employed under a training contract with the GTO, who then places them with a host employer.
The GTO may rotate the apprentice or trainee through a number of host employers to receive the on-the-job training component of their training.
GTOs are particularly useful for small and specialised employers who might not have the capacity to employ an apprentices or trainees for the full period of the training contract.
In NSW GTOs are registered under the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act 2001. They have been audited by independent auditors and are compliant with the National Standards for Group Training Organisations (pdf 131KB). Registration assures consistent quality in group training activities across the State. While not mandatory under the Act, registration is a requirement for GTOs seeking access to Joint Group Training Program funding.
GTO roles and responsibilities
GTOs are employers and undertake much of the role and the responsibilities of an employer.
- As the primary and legal employer, the GTO selects the apprentice/trainee carefully to ensure that they are suitable for placement with a host employer.
- The GTO takes responsibility for all paperwork connected with wages, allowances, superannuation, workers’ compensation, sick/holiday pay and other employee entitlements leaving the host employer free to run their business.
- The host employer does not have to provide a permanent position for the apprentice/trainee. This may be particularly helpful to small to medium enterprises, which may not be able to offer year round employment and only wish to hire an apprentice/trainee to meet needs during peak business workloads and seasonal variations.
- The GTO acts as a consultant and trouble-shooter throughout the period of employment and training.
- The GTO also manages the additional care and support necessary to achieve the successful completion of the Training Contract.
Benefits of using a GTO
- Group Training offers flexibility and security. A GTO will find the initial ‘host employer’. If the placement doesn’t work out or if the initial ‘host employer’ is unable to continue to offer work or to give the apprentices/trainees a wider work experience the apprentice/trainee can be placed with a different host employer.
- Group Training staff monitor on-the-job training and off-the-job training to ensure that high quality and relevant training is provided in a safe environment.
- The GTO takes care of all wages, employment records and monitors award conditions and pay rates.
- Ongoing support is offered to apprentices and trainees to make sure the contract runs smoothly and to help troubleshoot any problems that may arise during the course of the training.
- Some GTO’s offer assistance in finding permanent employment at the completion of the apprenticeship or traineeship.
- A GTO will arrange apprentices/trainees off-the-job training
List of Registered GTOs in NSW
The GTOs are listed alphabetically. The details provided include:
- the industries in which they offer employment
- the regions/areas they operate in
- whether they are funded under the Joint Group Training Program.
All listed GTOs are currently registered in NSW under the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act 2001. They have been audited by independent auditors and are compliant with the National Standards for Group Training Organisations.
If you are interested in using the services of a GTO, please contact any of the organisations listed here.
