Our Vision
WPC Group are the specialists in connecting employers and industry
to leading entry level talent
When it comes to hiring and managing apprentices and trainees, not-for-profit organisation WPC Group does the hard yards so employers won’t have to. And we’ve won awards for doing so. Since 1982, we’ve been honing our expertise in matching job seekers with sustainable and meaningful jobs in industry and supporting them in those early career years. Today, we employ and train more than 550 apprentices and trainees through national programs in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory.
Our wide network allows us to match your apprentices with our skilled mentors in a diverse range of occupations and workplaces. But we don’t just step back and leave employers to it.
Our mentors visit workplaces to check with apprentices and supervisors on how it’s working out for both sides. If anything’s getting in the way of long-term success, we’re there to help and steer it back on track. That’s what our mentors do – they’re advocates and, when needed, mediators. They have a sixth sense for spotting any signs of doubt, fear, frustration and uncertainty in apprentices. Mentors are experienced and proactive in offering support.
We also have an offshoot organisation, the Skilling Australia Foundation, which we set up in 2012 to help disadvantaged young Australians. These are people who have yet to secure meaningful work or undertake training or education as the stepping-stone towards a career of their. Our non-profit charitable foundation has assisted more than 1,300 people. We’ve done this through our free job-readiness programs, grants to subsidise tuition fees and merit-based scholarships. The foundation is actively equipping young Australians with the skills they need for the 21st Century workforce.
Leadership
Nathan Ellery
State Manager – New South Wales/ACT
P: 02 8844 8501
M: 0407 684 528
E: nellery@wpcgroup.org.au
A qualified Automotive Technician (Light Vehicle) with 16 years of experience, Nathan has hands on experience in technical automotive roles and the wider apprenticeship industry. Nathan has progressed his career into technical support and management roles. Nathan has a strong passion for mentoring and promoting the apprenticeship and traineeship model to address the skills shortages industries face.
Craig Knight
State Manager
Queensland
P: 07 3010 6404
M: 0412 728 520
E: cknight@wpcgroup.org.au
Craig Knight has enjoyed a long career in Senior Management roles across Food Manufacturing, Building and Construction. “I get to know our apprentices and trainees, employees, clients and industry partners and work with them to deliver positive outcomes. WPC Group is the perfect vehicle to enable me to pursue my passion of assisting youth transition into employment and training then being able to provide mentoring to ensure success.”
Evan Henry
State Manager
Victoria
P: 03 9321 0832
M: 0412 363 328
E: ehenry@wpcgroup.org.au
A proven product of the traineeship program, Evan assists industry meet and exceed their staffing needs as well as developing leading attraction and retention employment strategies. As Victorian State Manager, Evan takes a pro-active role in steering and growing a company that employs over 600 apprentices and trainees and leads by example in driving a positive workplace culture that respects each other, our customers, stakeholders, equality and diversity.
Kerrie White
Apprentice and Trainee Manager
Western Australia
P: 1300 787 202
M: 0408 558 949
E: kwhite@wcgroup.org.au
Kerrie has a great deal of experience in the VET sector. She has worked to establish successful Commonwealth contracts in the provision of Australian Apprenticeship services and is passionate about the Apprenticeship and Traineeship system and the pathway it provides for young people. She has a strong belief in building and maintaining a quality skills pathway for the youth
of Western Australia.
Victoria
phone 1300 656 461
9/651 Victoria St
Abbotsford
VIC 3067
New South Wales & ACT
phone 1300 760 099
2/190 George Street
Parramatta
NSW 2150
Queensland
phone 1300 311 272
1a/45 Cordelia Street
South Brisbane
QLD 4101
Western Australia
phone 1300 787 202
142 Hasler Road
Osborne Park
WA 6017