Apprentice Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from school leavers and candidates wanting to start an apprenticeship.
An Apprenticeship is on-the-job paid practical training and off-the-job theory based instruction. Earn as you Learn.
There is a specific employment arrangement between you, the apprentice, and us the employer.
Once your qualification is obtained you become a recognised tradesperson.
To enable you to complete an apprenticeship, which is a Level 4 New Zealand Certificate, you should have completed NCEA level 1 in English, math and science. These skills will form the foundation for any apprenticeship. Graphics and technology are other good subject choices, ideally you will also have completed NCEA Level 2.
- Be a NZ citizen / permanent resident
- Hold a current restricted or full drivers licence, or be working towards obtaining your full licence
- Pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol test
As your employer Southern Group Training manages your employment and co-ordinates your training making sure that you achieve all the requirements of your qualification in the optimum timeframe. If your host company can’t give you exposure to all the apprenticeship requirements, SGTT could place you with another host company temporarily to gain this experience.
You will be allocated your own Training Manager to mentor you through your apprenticeship. This person will develop an individual training plan for you to assist you in achieving your goals.
Southern Group Training pays your wages and training costs.
Pre apprenticeship courses are usually full time courses at Level 3, lasting approximately ten months. Completion of these practical and theory based courses improve your employability.
Employers are often seeking people with proven skills so there are advantages in completing appropriate prior training. This could be one of the pre apprenticeship courses offered by Southern Institute of Technology (SIT).
Southern Group Training often contacts the training provider looking to recruit students who have successfully completed a relevant pre apprenticeship course.
Southern Group Training accept applications from anyone at any time, for any trade apprenticeship. Once we receive your application you will be invited in for an assessment, and we will provide you with an overview of what’s involved in an apprenticeship, followed by an interview with the Training Manager who specialises in your chosen trade to discuss the options available to you.
NOTHING, if you are employed by Southern Group Training. SGTT pays for your annual registration fee, training manual, off job training be it evening class, correspondence or e-learning. We also pay for your block course fees along with travel and accommodation costs if the block course is not held near you. You will also be paid a basic wage while attending block course.
Your personal protective equipment is supplied by SGTT, and you will also be offered an interest free tool loan to provide you with a basic tool kit.
Apprentices earn as they learn. As you are working towards completing your New Zealand Certificate Level 4, in your chosen trade, your wage will increase as you gain experience and develop your skills.
By law as of 1 April 2026 the training wage is $19.16 an hour before tax. However, your wage rate with us will be more depending on your experience, skills and supporting qualifications. Your training manager will negotiate your starting wage with the host company on your behalf.
Usually, three to four years depending on the industry requirements and the time and efforts you as an apprentice put into it.
If you have successfully completed a relevant Level 3 Certificate pre apprenticeship course this is effectively the completion of the first year of your apprenticeship and therefore your apprenticeship should take less time to complete.
Some companies provide tools, while others require you to have your own. It is always good to build a supply of your own for the future. You will also be offered an interest free tool loan to provide you with a basic tool kit to start with.
Yes, you would usually work 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. You might be offered the opportunity to work overtime and some weekends. Hours vary based on the trade you work in and the host company’s workload. Working at heights and in enclosed, noisy, dirty, dusty, or hazardous conditions may be required.
Most host companies require you to have a minimum of a restricted drivers licence prior to starting your apprenticeship.
We have you complete an assessment in the early stages of recruitment. The assessment is designed to see if you would benefit from additional literacy or numeracy support.
As an apprentice you will have an annual performance review. Increases in pay are based on performance and are in recognition of the increasing value you provide your host company as you progress through your apprenticeship. Your host company may consider a pay increase outside of the annual pay review if you are exceeding expectations.
Yes, we encourage all our apprentices to give any trade related competitions a go. It enables you to extend your self and test out your skills against others in your trade in a friendly competition. We have had apprentices compete the World Skills Events. For more information https://worldskills.org.nz/
We are here to support you until you are a qualified tradesperson
Once we know you have a positive attitude and want to learn, we will look after you until you become a qualified tradesperson.
There are times when an apprenticeship placement may not work out – such as a reduction in available work. SGTT will endeavour to place you with another host company if this happens. Your Training Manager will work with you and your host company to ensure everything is working well.
Host Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers regarding employer obligations, hosting flexibility, and non-profit cost recovery.
Any company/business/organisation which is able to provide appropriate and relevant on job training.
As a group training company SGTT will employ apprentices to meet the needs of most industry sectors, SGTT has employed / managed apprentices in industries as diverse as butchery to bricklaying, plumbing to printing and roofing to retail.
SGTT employs the apprentice and is responsible for the various employment related matters including the payment of the apprentices wages, PAYE, Kiwisaver, and ACC levies. As the employer SGTT also pays for the annual apprentice registration fee and the required off job training fees.
The apprentice is ‘contracted’ to the host company which is responsible for providing the practical on job training. The apprentices are contracted to host companies for a minimum of six months.
Generally apprentices are hosted by the one host company for the entirety of their apprenticeship. If, however, a host company has insufficient ongoing work or is unable to provide all of the practical training required, SGTT will place the apprentice with another suitable host company.
SGTT invoices the host company on a fortnightly basis to recover the costs involved in the employment and training of the apprentice.
As a non-profit company SGTT seeks only to recover the actual costs involved.
The host company is only invoiced for the hours the apprentice spends in the workplace.
Absolutely.
Companies transfer apprentices for a variety of reasons. These may include closure or downsizing of the company, insufficient tradespeople to provide training or a company simply wishing to divest itself of the hassles of apprenticeship management and employment while still wishing to retain the services of the apprentice.
Yes, as long as they meet SGTT’s usual apprenticeship employment criteria.
Southern Group Training currently employs/manages a number of apprentices who have ‘worked’ their way into an apprenticeship.
SGTT is responsible for coordinating and managing the apprentices training.
The on job training is provided by the host company which would need to have a suitably qualified tradesperson available to provide and supervise the practical training.
The host company would also need to have the appropriate plant and equipment to enable the apprenticeship training to be carried out.
SGTT will arrange for the apprentice to spend some time with another company which is able to provide the necessary training.
If the host company has insufficient ongoing work SGTT will place the apprentice with another suitable host company.
Some host companies have their own qualified work place assessors and prefer to use them to assess the apprentices on job training.
Others prefer to have SGTT arrange for the work place assessments to be completed.
Generally the minimum secondment period is for six months so as to allow the apprentice to complete their three month probation period and have sufficient time to build up some competency in the tasks they have been given to do.
The majority of our host companies contract apprentices for the entirety
The apprentice is on a fixed term contract with SGTT for the duration of their apprenticeship after which they are available for employment by the host company or any other company seeking to employ qualified staff.
Why Southern Group Training?
Southern Group Training takes care of all the legwork of hiring and managing an apprentice, removing the hassles so host companies can focus on their business.
SGTT takes care of the legwork of hiring and training an apprentice. We can find an apprentice for you, take care of the paperwork, look after any employment issues and reduce any of the hassles involved with having an apprentice.
SGTT is always actively recruiting potential apprentices for you. We routinely talk to trade academy classes and pre trade classes at SIT, we’re involved in various Career Expo’s, visit schools, assist with gateway programmes, and facilitate students into work experience.
We accept applications from anyone, anytime, with all applicants being invited in for an assessment, after which an interview is arranged with the appropriate Training Manager.
We have a close working relationship with our local polytechnic, SIT and refer some candidates to them to complete the relevant Level 3 pre trade course. This results in the candidate having a more relevant and useful skill set when we start looking to place them in an apprenticeship. It also provides them with a basic knowledge and understanding of workplace health and safety, and time to progress their drivers licence.
Host companies are provided with a profile of suitable candidates and offered the opportunity to interview them before making their final selection.
We look for the best “fit” between apprentices and host companies. The better the “fit”, the better the relationship, the better the outcome.
Minimise the time you spend on employment legislation issues by having SGTT deal with them for you.
As the employer of the apprentice SGTT is responsible for all employment and training obligations. These include employment agreements which set out the terms and conditions of the apprentices employment and training agreements which give the apprentice legal status as an apprentice.
SGTT handles all the apprentice employment and training paperwork letting you concentrate on doing what you do best, running your business.
Apprenticeships are competency based rather than time based. The emphasis is on achieving competency in the various unit standards required within the qualification, rather than the time spent working as an apprentice.
SGTT manages this whole process including workplace assessments. Our Training Managers are trade qualified and qualified workplace assessors.
A $1,000 interest free tool loan is available to all apprentices at the commencement of their employment. We also provide our apprentices with their own Personal Protective Equipment, which is replaced on an annual or as needs be basis.
We provide you with suitably attired and equipped apprentices.
Any employee has access to our EAP at any time. This is an anonymous service free of charge for any employee to use at any time.
SGTT has a pre-employment and just cause alcohol and other drugs testing policy which is a regular feature of our apprenticeship management.
We provide you with apprentices that are fit and able to work.
The Group Training Concept
How non-profit group training companies bridge the gap between apprentice training and business needs.
Group training companies employ apprentices and trainees, placing them with host companies, for their on-job practical training.
- We find motivated apprentices to meet your requirements, ensuring the person you take on is suited to your workplace and can add value to your business.
- We employ the apprentice, handling all the administration and paperwork, saving you time, reducing your costs and keeping your training hassle-free.
- We manage and coordinate the apprentices training and regularly review their progress.
- We are available to advise and assist with any issues that the host company and apprentice may have.
- We inform you when the apprentice needs time off to attend off job training.
- Host companies are invoiced fortnightly for the apprentices hourly rate and an administration fee.
As the employer Southern Group Training:
- recruits, screens and short lists the applicants, with the host companies making the final selection decision.
- is responsible for all employment issues, eliminating the burden of paperwork and payroll.
- manages and coordinates the apprentice training to ensure the apprenticeship is completed in an optimum time frame.
- mentors both the apprentice and host company.
Southern Group Training currently employs a variety of apprentices in a range of trades across the Southern region.
These people have been sourced from secondary schools, trades academies, institutes of technology and polytechnics, or have been existing employees promoted into apprenticeships within the company they currently work for. Our preference is for people who have achieved NCEA Level 1 (School Certificate) English, maths and science with a preference for technology (metalwork / woodwork) and graphics (technical drawing).
While the majority of apprentices are aged under 25 years a number of our apprentices have taken advantage of second chance education and are aged 25 to 50 years.
Southern Group Training does endeavour to place locally sourced apprentices with local companies.
Southern Group Training also provides contract apprenticeship management and assessment services to companies.
Southern Group Training is an independent, non-profit organisation run on commercial business lines. The expense to host employers is minimal and is designed to be cost recovery only.
The core activity of Southern Group Training is the recruitment and employment of apprentices and managing their employment and training.
This includes:
- Arranging and monitoring their on and off job training.
- Acting as mentors and coaches for both host companies and apprentices.
- Arranging additional short term placements when necessary to meet all training requirements.
- Arranging when necessary alternate work placements to provide continuity of training.
- Any company interested in providing on job training for one or more apprentices or trainees, even if only for a relatively short period e.g. 6 months.
- People of any age seeking an apprenticeship.