With a boom in the residential construction sector on the horizon, the data demonstrates industry will not have access to the number of workers required to fill available jobs.

With the potential to create a major skills shortage in the electrical sector, the Australia New Zealand Electrical Training Alliance says action is needed now to avoid detrimental effects to the industry going forward.

To address the issue ANZETA has embraced a pilot program called Energise Oz.

Delivered by E-Oz Energy Skills Australia – the Australian government-declared industry skills council for the energy sector – the program is designed to address electrical apprentice drop-out numbers and implement learning strategies that will help apprentices successfully complete their courses.

While ANZETA group training organisations deliver good completion rates, the data shows this is not the case Australia-wide – with 38% of electrical apprentices abandoning their courses.

ANZETA company secretary Mike Boyce said it was vital for national skills shortages to be addressed.

“Since we set standards for excellence in the electrical industry, it is critical that we partner with key initiatives like Energise Oz to ensure a prosperous electrical future,” he said.

“E-Oz Energy Skills Australia has a major task of decreasing the drop-out rate of electrical apprentices to less than 10% and it is important that we are involved in their mission.

“Tackling our industry’s issue from the front end by ensuring high-end quality and quantity of apprentices is the solution.”

Energise Oz project manager Maurice Graham agreed with Boyce, stating that by taking action now industry could avoid long-term skills shortage issues down the track.

“If the 38% of electrical apprentices who drop out stay in their training program, this will create a great impact on the efficiency and productivity of the Australian economy,” he said.

Providing a range of support to employers, including recruitment services and a field officer to assist apprentices to keep on track with their trade school and workplace obligations, Boyce said GTOs had a responsibility to engage with programs and strategies that could address and reduce drop-out rates.

“Across Australia, ANZETA [has] committed the majority of [its] 2014 GTO apprentices to join the Energise Oz pilot program,” he said.

“This is a major commitment that we believe is crucial and will eventuate to some great outcomes.”

All ANZETA GTO apprentices who are part of the Energise Oz pilot will receive a joint service from both organisations.