COURSE OVERVIEW:

Welcome to the Workplace Mentoring & Coaching for Electrical Apprentices course. This training has been developed to support you in providing structured, supportive, and effective guidance to apprentices across a range of electrical work environments.

Mentoring and coaching play a vital role in the development of electrical apprentices, bridging the gap between formal training and practical skill acquisition. This course begins by defining mentoring and coaching in the context of the electrical trade and outlining their significance in supporting safe work practices, trade competence, and professional growth. Participants will explore the unique responsibilities of workplace mentors, including role-modelling, instruction, feedback, and collaboration with Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) to align on-the-job learning with formal training outcomes.

Understanding the learning needs of apprentices is central to effective mentoring. This section examines common challenges faced by apprentices—ranging from technical complexity to confidence building—and highlights strategies for supporting diverse learning styles and backgrounds. Participants will also learn how to balance workplace demands with apprentices’ formal training obligations, helping them navigate the dual expectations of site work and study.

A positive learning environment fosters safety, curiosity, and long-term retention. This section focuses on creating a culture of respect, openness, and psychological safety on site, where apprentices feel encouraged to ask questions, make mistakes, and grow. It also highlights the importance of inclusive and equitable mentoring practices that support learners from all walks of life.

Clarity is key to success in apprentice development. This section outlines how to collaboratively set clear learning goals and performance expectations that align with Units of Competency in the training plan. Emphasis is placed on short- and long-term goal setting, aligning job tasks with qualification requirements, and maintaining open communication around progress and responsibilities.

Structured learning on the job provides the foundation for competency. This section introduces methods for sequencing work tasks from simple to complex, using rotation and varied exposure to build broad experience. Participants will learn how to plan on-the-job activities that match training plan outcomes while building real-world confidence and capability.

Instructional delivery must be tailored to the trade context. This section explores how to break down complex electrical procedures using step-by-step demonstrations, verbal and visual explanations, and hands-on practice. Mentors will learn to pace instruction appropriately and create space for repetition, guided practice, and gradual independence.

Coaching supports deeper understanding and skill development. This section focuses on real-time feedback, prompting critical thinking through questioning, and encouraging apprentices to reflect on their own performance. Participants will learn coaching techniques that build decision-making, accountability, and resilience in apprentices.

Ongoing progress monitoring ensures apprentices are on track. This section explains how to assess performance against competency standards, maintain accurate records of task completion and workplace hours, and report progress to supervising electricians or RTOs. Clear tracking supports timely sign-offs and qualification progression.

Constructive feedback is essential for learning and improvement. This section introduces feedback frameworks such as “Stop, Start, Continue” and explores how to provide respectful, safety-focused feedback that supports performance and morale. Participants will learn how to deliver feedback in a timely, clear, and solution-focused manner.

Workplace health and safety is a cornerstone of electrical mentoring. This section reinforces the mentor’s role in modelling safe work behaviours, reinforcing risk assessments and PPE usage, and empowering apprentices to speak up and stop work when hazards arise. It also covers the mentoring of WHS obligations such as lockout/tagout procedures and safe testing.

Trade success requires more than technical skills. This section explores how mentors can support the development of soft skills such as communication, teamwork, punctuality, and time management. Participants will learn how to reinforce behaviours that meet industry expectations and build apprentice professionalism.

Mistakes offer powerful learning opportunities when managed well. This section covers how to respond to errors constructively, conduct no-blame reviews, and help apprentices implement corrective actions. It emphasises building a learning culture that treats setbacks as part of growth.

Mentors play a key role in working alongside RTOs and supervising electricians. This section explains how to stay informed about training plan requirements, liaise with trainers and assessors, and ensure that apprentices are consistently progressing across both structured training and informal learning contexts.

Electrical apprentices must be exposed to varied work conditions to build versatility. This section covers how to support learning across domestic, commercial, and industrial projects, including managing apprentices during remote work, high-pressure installations, and varying site demands.

Supporting apprentices who are struggling is a critical mentor responsibility. This section outlines how to recognise early signs of disengagement, stress, or learning difficulty, and how to provide support or referral where necessary. Participants will learn when and how to escalate issues to supervisors, support services, or RTO contacts.

Good documentation underpins successful apprenticeship progression. This section details how to record task completion, job hours, and competency evidence using site books, digital systems, or structured templates. Emphasis is placed on meeting licensing and qualification documentation requirements.

Mentors must also grow in their own capabilities. This section encourages mentors to reflect on their coaching style, seek feedback from apprentices and peers, and pursue professional development opportunities such as mentor workshops, peer forums, or leadership training.

A strong mentoring culture improves team performance and industry retention. This final section explores how to build mentoring into everyday practice—through toolbox talks, senior tradesperson engagement, and celebrating apprentice achievements. Participants will learn how to embed a workplace ethos of continuous learning, support, and shared growth.

By the end of this course, you will be equipped with the skills, techniques, and leadership qualities required to mentor and coach electrical apprentices effectively—supporting their development as safe, capable, and confident tradespeople within the Australian electrical industry.

Each section is complemented with examples to illustrate the concepts and techniques discussed.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:

1. Introduction to Mentoring and Coaching in Electrical Apprenticeships

• Definitions of mentoring and coaching in the trade context
• Importance of structured guidance for apprentice development
• Roles and responsibilities of workplace mentors and supervisors

2. Understanding the Needs of Electrical Apprentices

• Common learning challenges in technical training
• Supporting diverse learning styles and backgrounds
• Balancing on-the-job learning with formal training obligations

3. Creating a Positive Learning Environment

• Establishing psychological safety and respect on site
• Encouraging questions, curiosity, and growth mindset
• Promoting inclusive and equitable mentoring practices

4. Setting Clear Learning Goals and Expectations

• Aligning workplace activities with training plan competencies
• Developing short-term and long-term goals collaboratively
• Communicating performance expectations clearly

5. Planning Structured On-the-Job Learning Activities

• Sequencing work tasks from simple to complex
• Using job rotation and varied site exposure to build experience
• Linking tasks to Unit of Competency outcomes

6. Delivering Effective Instruction on Site

• Demonstrating electrical procedures step by step
• Using verbal, visual, and hands-on explanations
• Allowing repetition and guided practice

7. Coaching Techniques for Skill Development

• Providing real-time feedback during task performance
• Asking questions to prompt critical thinking
• Encouraging self-assessment and reflection

8. Monitoring Apprentice Progress and Competence

• Observing task performance against competency benchmarks
• Keeping records of observed skills and workplace hours
• Reporting progress to RTOs or supervising registered trainers

9. Giving Constructive and Respectful Feedback

• Using feedback models such as “Stop, Start, Continue”
• Timing feedback for impact and receptiveness
• Framing feedback around safety, standards, and growth

10. Supporting Safe Work Practices and WHS Compliance

• Reinforcing safety protocols and electrical risk management
• Modelling correct use of PPE, lockout/tagout, and testing tools
• Empowering apprentices to report hazards and stop unsafe work

11. Developing Soft Skills and Workplace Behaviour

• Teaching communication, teamwork, and time management
• Coaching on industry expectations, punctuality, and conduct
• Reinforcing the importance of accountability and initiative

12. Managing Mistakes and Learning from Errors

• Normalising mistakes as learning opportunities
• Conducting incident reviews without blame
• Helping apprentices implement corrective actions

13. Working with RTOs and Supervising Electricians

• Understanding training plan obligations and sign-off processes
• Maintaining communication with offsite trainers or assessors
• Ensuring consistent skill development across settings

14. Mentoring Through Varying Work Conditions

• Supporting learning in domestic, commercial, and industrial contexts
• Preparing apprentices for high-pressure or remote job sites
• Adapting coaching to changing project stages and environments

15. Supporting Struggling or At-Risk Apprentices

• Identifying early signs of disengagement or stress
• Providing support for literacy, numeracy, or learning barriers
• Referring to supervisors, counsellors, or RTO support services

16. Documentation and Recordkeeping Responsibilities

• Logging completed tasks, hours, and progress notes
• Using site books, digital platforms, or workplace templates
• Ensuring accurate records for licensing or qualification purposes

17. Developing the Mentor’s Own Skills and Confidence

• Reflecting on your mentoring style and effectiveness
• Seeking feedback from apprentices and colleagues
• Participating in mentor training or peer support networks

18. Sustaining a Culture of Learning and Mentorship

• Encouraging senior tradespeople to model mentorship
• Building mentoring into team meetings and toolboxes
• Celebrating apprentice milestones and achievements

COURSE DURATION:

The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.

COURSE DELIVERY:

Purchase and download course content.

ASSESSMENT:

A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.

CERTIFICATION:

Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.