Industry news
BOSS ATTITUDE TO MENTAL HEALTH Apprenticeships help guide young people on their career journey. Yet what is also apparent is how vulnerable they can be during this time. A free online course aimed at business owners, senior managers and others could provide vital support. Managing mental health in the workplace is challenging for all types of businesses, but particularly those that employ apprentices. Data suggests Australia’s young workers are at greater risk of experiencing poor mental health than the general population. This can have a direct impact on the workplace in the form of absenteeism, poor performance and turnover. Studies also highlight that the building and construction industry experiences much higher rates of suicide when compared to the general population. “All employers and host organisations want to get the best out of their apprentices and trainees, and in order to work to the best of their abilities an apprentice needs to be at their best, in body and mind,” according to youthfocused not‑for‑profit SESAT (Smart Employment Solutions Apprentices & Trainees). “By creating a ‘mentally healthy’ workplace and looking after apprentice wellbeing, you are not only looking after them, you are acting in the best interests of your business.”
But how best to look after apprentices’ mental health, and be aware of signs that things aren’t as they should be?
FREE, REMOTE LEARNING The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, EML Group and Apprenticeship Support Australia are offering free remote half-day training sessions to support the mental health of apprentices. The courses are aimed at business owners, senior managers, HR and OHS professionals, return to work coordinators, and people managers in businesses of any size that employ apprentices.
Chamber of Commerce and Industry says. “You will learn how to effectively support and manage apprentices with mental health conditions, as well as how to build a mentally healthy workplace that is both safe and productive.”
COURSE OUTCOMES 1. Why apprentices are at higher risk 2. Mental health and COVID-19 3. What mentally healthy workplaces are, and why they are important 4. How to talk about mental health: • Recognising early warning signs • How to have a mental health conversation • Self-harm and suicide prevention 5. Communicating with doctors 6. Managing the impact on your team 7. Mental health and the law: • Workplace relations • Occupational health and safety • Workers’ compensation • Disability discrimination • Privacy. “By promoting open communication and showing your apprentice you value them and the work they do, you will boost their confidence, and this also contributes to looking after their mental welfare,” SESAT says. “This ensures apprentices and trainees are happy to come to work and enjoy the time they spend there, an important factor in them performing at their best so you can make the most of their talent.” ■
DATE AND TIME
The training will cover workplace obligations under privacy, disability discrimination, workplace relations and safety laws; and how to forge a mentally healthy workplace.
Tuesday, November 9, 1pm–4.30pm (AEDT) Thursday, December 9, 9am–12.30pm (AEDT)
“During this half-day training, we will look at mental health from a number of different perspectives, providing a clear understanding of workplace obligations under privacy, disability discrimination, workplace relations and safety laws,” the Victorian November 2021
For more information and to register, go to tinyurl.com/2ryz4rj6 or www.victorianchamber.com.au
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