What is Group Training?

What is group training, and how does it work?

Group training is an employment model where Novaskill, a Group Training Organisation (GTO), employs an apprentice or trainee and places them with a host employer for hands-on training.

Did you know Novaskill started in 1980 as a Group training organisation. That doesn’t mean we train in groups but sort of. We employ in Groups of qualifications, we are the legal employer of apprentices and trainees, we pay them each week and they are hosted out to the host employer who gives them the on the job trade experiences. This can be for the 12 month or 4 year duration or a short term agreement. But they remain a Novaskill employee and we are able to rotate them from host to host to ensure they complete the duration of their traineeship or apprenticeship.

A Novaskill apprentice on the job with a host employer

How group training works

You host

Your business provides the day-to-day work and on-the-job supervision for the apprentice or trainee.

Novaskill employs & supports

Novaskill is the legal employer of record, handling recruitment, payroll, insurance, compliance and field-officer mentoring.

They train toward a qualification

The apprentice or trainee earns a wage while working toward a nationally recognised qualification.

What Novaskill takes off your plate

Recruitment & onboarding

Novaskill assists businesses in sourcing and onboarding the right talent. We handle all recruitment activities, including advertising, screening, testing, and interviews. We also take care of administrative tasks such as contract establishment, pre-employment medicals, inductions, payroll, tax declarations, and other setup activities, ensuring a smooth transition for both the employer and the trainee.

Mentoring & ongoing support

Our team of mentors and industry experts provides ongoing support for both trainees and employers, ensuring that the apprenticeship experience is productive and successful. This includes HR management, performance management, competency development, WHS training, and ensuring that the trainee is progressing through all units in collaboration with the RTO. If the apprentice requires any assistance, such as a return-to-work process due to injury, we handle it all.

Why choose Novaskill as your group training provider?

Choose Novaskill for experience since 1980, proven results and award-winning apprentices and trainees across the Hunter and NSW.

We win awards, often

Countless award-winning apprentices and trainees, including NSW/ACT Apprentice of the Year winners.

Award-winning WHS system

Winner, Best WHS Management System (Large Organisation) at the Hunter Safety Awards.

40+ years’ experience

In business since 1980, one of the most experienced group training providers in Australia.

A strong support network

Active members of the National and state Apprentice Employment Network.

Great TAFE relationships

Strong local relationships with TAFE and other Registered Training Organisations (RTOs).

Experienced payroll team

Years of experience with industry awards, so your apprentice is paid correctly and on time, every time.

Dedicated field officers

Ongoing support, advice, pastoral care, workplace evaluations and WHS training.

We ensure success

Where required, we rotate apprentices among hosts for a rounded experience and to meet training requirements.

“With the support of my workmates at JA Martin and my Field Officer at Novaskill, I have been able to excel in my apprenticeship and set myself up for a successful career in the electrical industry.”

Matthew Hayes, 2018 NSW Apprentice of the Year

How does group training differ from hiring an apprentice directly?

With group training, Novaskill is the legal employer of record and your business is the host employer, so Novaskill handles recruitment, payroll and compliance while you provide the day-to-day work. Hiring directly makes your business the legal employer, responsible for every obligation yourself. The table below compares the two approaches.

Responsibility Group training with Novaskill Hiring an apprentice directly
Legal employer of record Novaskill (the GTO) Your business
Recruitment and aptitude testing Novaskill Your business
Payroll, leave and entitlements Novaskill Your business
Insurance, Work Cover and workers compensation Novaskill Your business
Field officer mentoring and pastoral care Included Not included
Day-to-day supervision and on-the-job training Host employer (you) Your business

Group training: frequently asked questions

  • Novaskill has delivered training and employment services since 1980.
  • Novaskill is the Group Training Organisation (GTO) and the legal employer of record for every apprentice and trainee.
  • One employer of record means your business has a single point of contact for payroll, paperwork and compliance.
  • A dedicated field officer supports both the apprentice or trainee and the host employer for the life of the training contract.
  • Apprentices and trainees can rotate between host employers where required for a well-rounded experience.
  • Novaskill operates across the Hunter, Newcastle and wider NSW.

A Group Training Organisation (GTO) is the legal employer of an apprentice or trainee, placing them with a host employer for on-the-job training. Novaskill is a GTO that has employed apprentices and trainees since 1980 across the Hunter, Newcastle and NSW.

An apprenticeship leads to a trade qualification and usually takes about four years, while a traineeship covers a broader range of occupations and is usually shorter. Both combine paid work with nationally recognised training, and with Novaskill both are employed through the group training model.

Novaskill employs the apprentice or trainee as the Group Training Organisation (GTO) and legal employer of record. Your business is the host employer, providing day-to-day work and supervision while Novaskill manages payroll, paperwork, insurance and compliance.

A Novaskill field officer mentors and supports both the apprentice or trainee and the host employer for the life of the training contract. The field officer provides advice, pastoral care, workplace evaluations and WHS support to keep the apprenticeship or traineeship on track.

Novaskill provides group training across the Hunter, Newcastle and the wider NSW region. As a provider established in 1980, Novaskill has long-standing local relationships with TAFE and other Registered Training Organisations (RTOs).

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