Stephen McKay’s approach at managing electrical apprentices at Impact Apprentices
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Managing electrical apprentices in Victoria involves far more than simply placing someone on site and hoping they succeed. Between recruitment, compliance, mentoring, payroll, training requirements, and workplace support, there are many moving parts that need to work together to create a successful apprenticeship.
So, after a fair bit of convincing and probably testing his patience ever so slightly, we finally sat down with Stephen McKay, the Managing Director of Impact Apprentices. With 49 years in the electrical industry under his belt and officially hitting the half-century milestone this August 17th, Stephen has spent decades supporting both apprentices and host employers through the Group Training Organisation (GTO) model here at Impact Apprentices.
From watching nervous first-years grow into qualified electricians to navigating the ever-changing industry landscape, Stephen has seen just about everything the trade can throw at you and somehow still enjoys talking about it.
A Group Training Organisation (GTO) directly employs apprentices under an employment and training contract, then places them with host employers to gain practical, on-the-job experience.
In Victoria, managing electrical apprentices involves responsibilities connected to organisations and frameworks such as the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority and Energy Safe Victoria. For many businesses, handling all of these responsibilities internally can become time-consuming and complex. This is where a GTO helps provide structure, support, and consistency.
According to Stephen, one of the biggest misconceptions businesses have is underestimating how much ongoing management apprentices actually require.
A successful apprenticeship isn’t just about finding an apprentice for the job. It’s about structured training through a recognised TAFE/RTO, exposure to a variety of work and regular feed back, and creating an environment where apprentices can genuinely develop into capable tradespeople.
One of the first responsibilities of a GTO is apprentice recruitment and screening.
At Impact Apprentices, this process involves:
Stephen strongly believes certain key traits matter just as much as previous experience.
Confidence, being presentable and good communication are a starting point. We often look for a sense of humour, interaction and personality. All of which are important traits when matching apprentices with host employers
For host employers, this helps reduce the pressure of recruiting apprentices independently while improving the likelihood of finding someone who fits both technically and culturally.
Electrical apprenticeships in Victoria involve strict compliance and supervision obligations.
A GTO helps coordinate:
Stephen explains that many employers are surprised by how much administration exists behind the scenes.
There’s a lot that happens outside of the worksite that people don’t always see. It starts from having apprentices registered with through Apprenticeship Support Australia within two weeks of commencing employment and registration with VRQA is a must, as every electrical apprentice must be registered to carry out electrical work. The misconception here is the probationary period and the belief that they can be registered after three months.
At Impact Apprentices, ongoing communication with apprentices, host employers, and training providers forms a major part of ensuring apprentices stay on track throughout their apprenticeship.
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One of the key areas Stephen has focused on over the years is apprentice mentoring and wellbeing support.
Starting an apprenticeship can be overwhelming, particularly for younger apprentices entering construction environments for the first time. Regular check-ins, guidance, and support can make a significant difference to confidence, retention, and long-term success.
This support often includes:
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This people-first approach has contributed to Impact Apprentices achieving a 98% completion rate, something Stephen is particularly proud of.
The most rewarding aspect is clearly having them complete their training and gaining their qualification, but then there is also watching them develop into a more confident people
For many electrical contractors, working with a GTO allows them to focus more heavily on running projects and supporting productivity while still investing in apprentice development.
At Impact Apprentices, host employers receive support with:
Stephen says the goal is to create long-term outcomes that benefit both apprentices and businesses.
One of the biggest advantages for host employers working with a GTO is flexibility. Businesses have the ability to scale apprentice numbers up or down depending on workloads, without feeling locked into a long-term commitment if circumstances change. At the same time, they gain access to job-ready apprentices backed by a supportive team that takes accountability, can be trusted, and genuinely works alongside both the employer and apprentice throughout the journey
Through decades in the electrical industry, Stephen McKay has seen first hand how important strong support systems are in shaping successful apprenticeships.
This brings me back to when I started working in the trade when I was given an opportunity. So being able to provide that same opportunity to the next generation of sparkies gives me enormous pleasure.
Today, Impact Apprentices continues working closely with apprentices, host employers, schools, training providers, and industry organisations to help create meaningful pathways into the electrical trade across Victoria.
For Stephen, the mission has always been bigger than simply filling positions.
Strong apprentice support has a direct impact on both completion rates and long-term workforce outcomes. When apprentices feel supported, guided, and connected to the workplace, they’re far more likely to succeed, both during their apprenticeship and throughout their careers.
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