As the new financial year begins, there's optimism about market conditions, but a major concern I have is the ongoing shortage of skilled tradespeople. HIA research shows the industry needs 83,000 more tradies - an increase of 30% - to meet the target of building 1.2 million homes over the next 5 years.

Despite this challenge, there are opportunities to manage the risk associated with hiring more staff with the assistance of HIA. Operating as a Group Training Organisation, HIA Apprentices offers several key advantages for employers looking to take on apprentices or office based trainee:

Reduced Administrative Burden: HIA acts as the legal employer, managing payroll, superannuation, workers compensation, and training paperwork— saving you time and resources.

• Flexibility: If work slows down or job requirements change, HIA can rotate the apprentice to another host employer, helping maintain continuity of training and employment.

• Support & Mentoring: HIA provide regular field officer support and mentoring to apprentices, helping them stay on track and succeed in their training.

• Skilled Future Workforce: Training an apprentice contributes to the development of a skilled workforce in your sector.

• Government Incentives: You may still be eligible for government wage subsidies and incentives when hosting an apprentice through HIA.

If you're considering taking on an apprentice or trainee and want to minimise the risk and administrative workload, partnering with HIA Apprentices is a smart and practical option. Find out more today or call 1300 650 620.