Hire and Rental News - August 2019

Skilling Up – Coates Hire apprenticeship program Reflecting its inbuilt philosophy, Coates Hire is a services company that relies on a skilled workforce which it develops internally via its apprenticeship program to train mechanics in Mechanical Plant Technology Certificate III. T he apprenticeship program which began in late 2018, this year took on nine new apprentices located in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth began the Apprenticeship Program. Coates Hire Service Training Manager, Steve Webster, said the apprentices will eventually spend time in workshops that specialise in everything from earthmoving and access, to light and power. And in line with Coates Hire’s diversity and inclusion strategy, the apprenticeships are open to all applicants, including female and mature-age candidates. “We’re building a skills base for the future,” Steve said. “So we’re simply looking for the best and most motivated people.” Steve said the apprenticeship program has proved so popular the 2020 apprentice intake is being finalised with an intention to place apprentices in regional centres where possible. “Diversity and inclusion means building our skills base in the regional centres. Suitable regional sites would include Newcastle in NSW and Karratha in WA, but we’re doing our homework before we add other regional centres to the list,” Steve said. Monique Hague-Smith, 25, is one of the first-year apprentices, currently at the Belmont workshops in Perth. The former university student and retail worker said she was interested in doing a trade but at high school she didn’t feel doing so was a reality for females. “It wasn’t really discussed as an option for girls when I was at school,” Monique said. “We were being prepared for university and that’s the path I followed.” She said university didn’t suit her. But when she bought an 80-series Land Cruiser two years ago and started working on it, she realised her passion was machinery. “My uncle is a mechanic and he was showing me what to do, and I started thinking, ‘this is what I love; I want to learn this’.” Having left school, she was more confident to pursue a mechanical trade but she was nervous about being a woman in a man’s world. “I was a little worried. I guess I was thinking a big Coates Hire workshop wouldn’t want females in there.” She said her fears were unfounded. “Belmont is a large workshop, with lighting, generators, the CAT equipment and elevated work platforms and booms.” “I’ll be moved around to other workshops. I’m learning so much and I’m really focused on getting my trade qualification. I really wish I’d known about this kind of opportunity when I was at school,” Monique said. Matthew Linehan is another first-year apprentice. The 38-year-old father was working at Coates Hire’s Moorebank branch in Sydney and he said the apprenticeship offer was a chance to develop his career. “I was a yardie and a TACP (trained and competent person). I was working with the workshop mechanics on access equipment, and I could have done that job for life. But doing a trade gives me skills and expands my opportunities at Coates Hire.” Another mature-age first-year apprentice at Coates Hire is Clint McGrath. The 28-year-old is working at the Ingleburn branch in Sydney, on pumps and dewatering. “I didn’t do a trade when I left school and I have a young family now,” Clint said. “I approached Steve Webster about an apprenticeship because I thought I should have a trade. He told me the company was doing apprenticeships in 2019 and he asked me to apply; and here I am.” Clint said the qualification will have depth because of the range of equipment and the high standard of the mechanics at Coates Hire. He is also drawn to the company because of its national footprint and its support for its employees. “I’ve noticed at Coates Hire if you put your hand up and have a go, the company will support you. That’s good for Coates Hire and good for the employees.” n Visit: www.coateshire.com.au Workshop explores HR benefits The Business Essentials Workshop at HIRE19 provided a range of valuable information and advice for participants in a number of areas, including the government’s workplace relations agenda and dealing with insurance claims. by Hartley Henderson. At the workshop, Brenton Allen from MST Lawyers pointed out since Mr Morrison’s installation as Prime Minister in August 2018, the Liberal Party has introduced Unpaid Family and Domestic Violence Leave into the Fair Work Act 2009 and also introduced Casual Loading Offset regulations into the Fair Work Regulations 2009. “The re-elected Liberal Party has undertaken to introduce tax relief for individuals as well as for companies. For business with a turnover of less than $50 Million a further tax rate reduction from 27.5% to 25% (previously reduced from 30%) by 2021/22 will apply. These businesses will also be entitled to Instant Asset Write-Off, which has been extended until 30 June 2020 for assets up to $30,000,” he said. “In addition, for unincorporated businesses with a turnover of less than $5 million, it is proposed to increase the tax discount to 16% by 2021/22 (capped at $1,000). “Action will also be taken to create new apprenticeships through investment of $525 million over five years in Vocational Education and Training to deliver 80,000 new apprenticeships for industries with skill shortages. There will be a doubling of employer incentive payments to $8,000 and new apprentices will receive a $2,000 incentive payment. “Provision of $50 million through 2500 grants to small businesses and community organisations is also proposed to reduce their power bills.” In summary, Brenton said all this is aimed at delivering lower cost to do business, lower cost of living, more money in people’s pockets’ and more money available for discretionary spending, leading to organic growth in the economy and wages. There are many costs that can be involved in insurance claims including recovery costs of equipment, repair or replacement costs, pollution cleanup, and third party property damage. n Contact: HRNet through HRIA website in member services First-year apprentice Matthew Linehan saw the apprenticeship offer as a chance to develop his career P20 HIRE AND RENTAL NEWS AUGUST 2019 INDUSTRY IN FOCUS