Apprentice electricians are underpaid and undervalued, finds research

Despite Australia's critical shortage of skilled workers, many trade apprentices are living on a wage that falls below the poverty line and is barely higher than the unemployment benefit, according to research from the University of Sydney's Workplace Research Centre (WRC). The Electrical Trades Union (ETU) has commissioned researchers from the WRC to prepare a report on the work, wages and living standards of electrical apprentices as part of Fair Work Australia's review of modern awards. Electrical trades are one of Australia's key skills shortages but only about 60 percent of people who commence training will complete it, due in part to the deteriorating financial position of apprenticeships. "Back in the 1950s the typical apprentice was around 15 years of age and lived with their parents. Historically, it was thought that apprentices should be paid as a percentage of a qualified tradesperson's wage to compensate for their lower productivity and the time needed for on the job training," says Hanna Schutz , a Research Analyst from the Workplace Research Centre. "Today's modern apprentice electrician has most likely completed high school with a background in mathematics and sciences, and is at least 18 years old. More than a quarter of those commencing training in a trade are 25 or older.