08 Apr 2015

Group Training Organisations (GTOs) have long been shrouded in mystery, but if you’re an aspiring apprentice or trainee, then you’re going to want to remember those enigmatic initials. GTOs are the hidden gem of the apprenticeship and traineeship world, and even though what they do has remained largely unknown, they are actually the largest employers of apprentices and trainees in Australia. As you might expect, we at Year13 are big fans.

But what actually is a GTO?

In a nutshell, Group Training Organisations are companies that help recruit and manage apprentices and trainees for host employers and businesses. To put it simply, GTOs find apprentices an employer under which they can complete their apprenticeship, as well as providing mentoring, ongoing support and study options for their training.
The GTO is technically your employer, which means they are the ones that take care of your payment, benefits and overall workplace satisfaction. If for some reason your host employer can’t keep you on for the entire duration of your apprenticeship, you are still employed by the GTO; this means they will try to find you a new host to continue your apprenticeship under, so your training under your first employer isn’t wasted.

Here are some of the other super sweet benefits the come with completing an apprenticeship through a GTO:

Maximise the odds of finishing your apprenticeship.

When you’re looking for an apprenticeship, you have two main options: go through a GTO, or seek private employment directly from an employer. While going the private route works for a lot of apprentices and trainees, there is always a big risk that your employer will run out of enough work or money to keep you as an apprentice, in which case you will have to try and find a new employer in order to complete your apprenticeship. Going through a GTO is kind of like having insurance over your apprenticeship or traineeship, because in the case that your host ceases your employment, the GTO will try and find you a new host employer, AND keep paying you in the meantime.

Have the organisational stuff taken care for you.

Not only will a GTO hook you up with a host employer, but they will also arrange your off-the-job training with a reputable RTO (Registered Training Organisation), so you can learn the theory of your trade while you’re getting your hands dirty in an apprenticeship.
GTOs will take care of all the paperwork when it comes to your income, superannuation and benefits, so you never have to worry about your employer skimping on your pay. They will also conduct work place checks to ensure your working conditions are safe and that you’re receiving a high standard of training.

Learn from the experts.

GTOs have been in the apprenticeship and traineeship world for a long time, and they know all the ins and outs of the biz.

Get employed with someone who actually cares.

GTOs care about your success and wellbeing while you’re under their employment. They will make sure that your host employer is treating you fairly, and will provide a mentoring service so you are fully looked after throughout your apprenticeship. If you have any issues with your host employer or your apprenticeship, the GTOs support services will be able to help you out, and arrange a new host if need be.
GTOs are looking to give you the best possible education, and will provide more variety in your apprenticeship through different host businesses, so you can learn a wider range of skills that you can add to your resume. On completion of your apprenticeship, some GTOs will even help you find permanent employment, so your future career in the industry is all set.