Group Training Organisations: Bellwethers or shepherds?

Group Training Organisations (GTOs) are responsible for the employment of over 10% of apprentices and trainees in Australia, with a greater presence in particular segments such as school-leavers, the traditional trades and school-based apprentices. While their role has been well recognised, if imperfectly understood, and there have been a number of government-sponsored reports into their operations, there has been little academic research into their activities. This paper draws upon part of the research carried out in three States by the authors, which formed part of a larger nationwide project during 2006. Drawing upon interviews and focus groups with group training organisation staff and other stakeholders, the paper examines two roles of GTOs. The first is that of shepherd ' the pastoral care role which is so important to the retention of young people in apprenticeships. The second is that of bellwether - a role in which GTOs are early signallers to stakeholders of changes in labour market conditions.