Cronulla MP Malcolm Kerr congratulated The Shire Group Training and trainees on its official launch on 9 July 2008.

The Shire Group Training has set up in Sutherland connecting would-be apprentices and trainees with host employers.

The Shire Group Training is a 'not-for-profit' company and part of the Hunter Valley Training Company established in 1981, now the largest employer of apprentices and trainees in NSW. The Shire Group Training is basing its operations at the Sutherland Shire Council's SSHED business accelerator at Loftus.

The company takes away much of the paperwork and hassle of taking on a trainee as it handles the paperwork and procedures involved in taking on a trainee including contracts, payroll, entitlements, OH&S obligations, workers compensation, superannuation and much more.

High school leavers looking for a locally-based apprenticeship or traineeship, can now turn to a new group training company, based in the Shire.

Manager Janet Knight said that we make it easier for the employers to take on an apprentice or trainee. Employers get the benefit from the recruitment and selection processes and on-going monitoring and management.

Any business in the Shire thinking of taking on an apprentice or trainee should contact Janet on 0409 151 514 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

‘Shire Group Training is a win, win situation for employers and apprentices/trainees alike and I encourage local employers to get on board, support this initiative and gain valuable staff at the same time’ Mr Kerr concluded.