The COVID-19 pandemic has been an uncertain time for apprentice employment and Cleanaway is proud to have retained all our apprentices through this period.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been an uncertain time for apprentice employment and Cleanaway is proud to have retained all our apprentices through this period.
WPC Group was formed in 1982 as one of Australia’s foundational group training organisations, and has over 38 years of experience advancing apprenticeship and traineeship programs.
In the decades since, WPC Group has grown into one of the largest employers of apprentices and trainees in Australia, a nationwide employer of choice, a respected industry innovator, and a passionate advocate of the social and economic benefits of the group training model. WPC Group remains a non-profit community enterprise dedicated to providing employment opportunities for young Australians and people from disadvantaged and underrepresented communities.
Since Cleanaway and WPC Group’s partnership began in early 2019, nine apprentices have started at Cleanaway sites around the country. Cleanaway and WPC Group have worked together to develop a customised apprenticeship program designed to develop skilled apprentices who fit in well with their workplaces at Cleanaway. The program provides the opportunity for apprentices to learn their trades in diverse environments to help them become the next generation of leaders in the industry.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been an uncertain time for apprentice employment and Cleanaway is proud to have retained all our apprentices through this period. “It’s fantastic to have the new and diverse perspectives of apprentices in our workforce”, commented Cleanaway CEO Vik Bansal. “We’re very pleased with the positive contribution these individuals have already made in their time with Cleanaway”.
WPC Group also provides a mentorship program for all its apprentices. “Each apprentice is allocated a dedicated mentor who works in consultation with their direct supervisor in the workplace. Mentoring creates a climate of support, guidance and teaching that boosts employee engagement and productivity. At the same time, mentorship builds invaluable bonds of trust and loyalty and encourages professional development,” explains Mark D’Aversa, WPC Group Apprentice and Trainee Manager. “This additional level of support is especially important during challenging times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Keeping apprentices in work, engaged and with a growth mindset is a key part of the program, and Cleanaway is committed to providing all our apprentices with ongoing employment during the pandemic. Cleanaway and WPC Group continue to work together to create more training opportunities for apprentices in both operational and corporate areas of the business.
Meet some of Cleanaway’s apprentices
Michael Brady is a first-year heavy vehicle apprentice at Erskine Park, NSW. He has been with Cleanaway since January 2020 and is very happy to be a part of the company. Michael enjoys learning new tasks and is very eager to develop his skills in the industry. His motivation and work ethic in all tasks have impressed his supervisors.
Connor Currey and Mae Ra Pee, both first-year heavy vehicle apprentices at Dandenong in Victoria, were the first apprentices employed through Cleanaway and WPC Group’s partnership. They have both settled into their roles well and are making an impact with the skills and knowledge they have gained from the experienced crew at Dandenong. They appreciate the trust that their managers have been giving them, which allows them to keep progressing.
Rhys Monaghan joined the Kwinana Beach site in WA in November 2019 as a first-year apprentice after undertaking his school work experience placement at the site. He is enjoying both the workplace and TAFE aspects of his apprenticeship. Rhys always shows initiative in the workplace and aspires to complete his apprenticeship and to continue his career with Cleanaway.
Cleanaway is committed to promoting sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, driven by employment and decent work for all. We are aligned to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as described in our 2020 Sustainability Report.
Contact us to learn more about the incredible men and women who are making a sustainable future possible through a career with Cleanaway.