Skill Hire, a not-for-profit organisation with more than three decades of experience, is addressing the growing complexities of workforce management in Western Australia.
With over 100 workers across the state, Skill Hire specialises in a range of services designed to meet the diverse needs of businesses. These services include:
- Employee Recruitment: Matching the right candidates to the right roles.
- Industry-Specific Training: Offering both on-site and off-site training programs.
- Group Training for Apprentices: Facilitating the development of skilled tradespeople.
- Placements of Young People: Helping young individuals find meaningful employment.
- Flexible Staffing Solutions: Providing temporary and permanent staffing options.
- Valuable Industry Connections: Leveraging a robust network to benefit clients.
- Mental Health and Psychosocial Health Supports: Ensuring the wellbeing of the workforce.
- Accessing financial incentives: Ensuring host businesses get the maximum value from government payments
"The state government currently offers a variety of wage subsidies for businesses to access support when engaging with a GTO, presenting another benefit to this recruitment route".
As a Group Training Organisation (GTO), Skill Hire plays a crucial role in the apprenticeship and traineeship landscape. The company works closely with businesses to find and place new apprentices or trainees, taking on the administrative and logistical responsibilities that often accompany these roles. This includes managing:
- Wages and Allowances
- Superannuation
- Workers’ Compensation
- Sick Leave and Personal Leave
- Holiday Pay
- TAFE Fees
By directly employing the apprentice or trainee and then 'hosting' them to the company, Skill Hire streamlines what would otherwise be a cumbersome and time-consuming process. The state government further supports this initiative by offering various wage subsidies, making it even more attractive for businesses to engage with a GTO.
Skill Hire is proudly part of the IntoWork Group, alongside Nara Training and Assessing, and NextGen Skills. Each of these entities bring a unique set of strengths to the table:
- Nara Training and Assessing: Specialises in industry-specific workplace safety and high-risk training for school leavers, job seekers, skilled labour, and specialty trades.
- NextGen Skills: Focuses on training and employment for plumbing and painting apprentices.
Ben Dahlstrom, the CEO of Skill Hire, Nara, and NextGen Skills, emphasised the critical need for a quality workforce and the bespoke services his companies offer to overcome staffing challenges.
"Our business takes the hassle out of managing an apprentice, from payroll and HR to training management and ensuring all industrial requirements are met," Mr Dahlstrom said.
“Knowing what industry requires from an apprentice and ensuring apprentices are able to meet this demand is in our DNA.” –Ben Dahlstrom
"It's about giving the construction industry peace of mind when taking on an apprentice, which is more important than ever in today's competitive and compliance-driven environment."
With a combined 70 years of experience in managing apprentice training and employment, Skill Hire and NextGen Skills have a deep understanding of what the industry requires and how to meet those needs effectively.
Mr Dahlstrom highlighted the business’s commitment to adaptability.
"Not every company is the same, so we tailor our service delivery to fit the industry's needs, not the other way around," he said. "Our combination of reputation, service excellence, and deep connection to industry has stood the test of time."
Nara Training and Assessing is dedicated to providing high-risk training which also includes pre-employment training for more vulnerable groups. A recent success story involves Nway Htet Naing, a 32-year-old refugee from Myanmar who arrived in Australia in 2024 with no qualifications and no means to pay for education. Nara stepped in, fully funding Mr Naing’s dogging and rigging course, helping him overcome significant career barriers while contributing to WA’s skilled workforce.
Skill Hire, Nara, and NextGen Skills operate across the state, with offices in key locations such as Albany, Bunbury, Forrestfield, Northam, Perth CBD, Joondalup, Katanning, Narrogin and Welshpool. This extensive network ensures that businesses and individuals have access to the support they need, no matter where they are located.
By partnering with Skill Hire, companies in WA can focus on what they do best, knowing that their workforce needs are in capable hands.
Contact Skill Hire at www.skillhire.com.au to learn more about how they can help you.
