Welcoming electrical apprentices and trainees on the job

Hiring a new electrical apprentice is more than just filling a position—it's an investment in the future of your business and the industry.

An electrical apprenticeship goes beyond training; it blends classroom education with hands-on, on-the-job experience under the supervision of a licensed electrician or tradesperson, fostering the skills, confidence, and safety awareness essential for the trade.

Here are a few reminders when working with apprentices and trainees:

• Safety first: Apprentices must understand their limits, the importance of supervision, and the serious risks involved in electrical work. Section 279 of Queensland's Electrical Safety Regulation 2013 sets clear boundaries. For example, in the first six months, apprentices must not work near live high-voltage parts or where there's a risk of contact with live low-voltage components.
• Supervision is key: employers are legally required to ensure apprentices are supervised at all times by a qualified electrical worker. The level of supervision should match the apprentice’s experience and the complexity of the task.
• Supporting young talent: many apprentices are young and new to the workforce. The Young Workers Toolkit is designed to help employers keep them safe, informed, and empowered from day one. There is also the Safe working and supervision guide for electrical apprentices (PDF, 1.89 MB) to refer to. This guide assists apprentices in understanding the electrically safe working practices required of them.
• Your role as an employer: creating a safe, supportive environment is essential. Further information and resources to help you meet your obligations and protect your team can be found on the Creating safe work page.