One in eight electrical apprentices exposed to shocks

Research from the Electrical Trades Union (ETU) has revealed that apprentice electricians are being exposed to electric shocks at work, with delayed health and safety training a significant risk factor.

The ETU’s survey of 447 apprentices*, conducted in April and May 2025, found that one in eight Australian electrical apprentices are exposed to potentially deadly shocks during their apprenticeship, with that figure doubling to one in four if apprentices do not commence their classroom training until after their first year of onsite work.

Classroom training includes critical safety modules on CPR, health and safety, and controlling the risk of electric shock. The ETU highlighted the fact that one in 10 apprentices do not start TAFE until their second year — creating a delay that jeopardises safety.

In one concerning example documented in the survey, an apprentice reported that his supervisor was convinced that receiving an electrical shock was a normal or even necessary part of the trade and would improve the apprentice’s ‘muscle response’ to electric shock. The apprentice could not persuade the supervisor otherwise and completed his shift without medical attention after receiving a shock. The ETU said this was indicative of the experience of many apprentices surveyed, with reports of a cavalier attitude from their employer and/or supervising tradesperson to the risks associated with electrical shock.

The ETU also said its research raised questions about the role of the taxpayer-funded Apprentice Connect Australian Provider (ACAP) scheme, which funds private companies to mentor and advocate for apprentices at a cost of more than $200 million a year.

One in five of the apprentices surveyed were unable to identify their ACAP from a list, and follow-up interviews with apprentices who had been shocked at work revealed many were unable to say what the mentor was supposed to do. Those who did understand the purpose of the mentor said their mentor did not fulfil that purpose, and that the support they received was perfunctory.

None of the apprentices interviewed by the researchers received any assistance from their mentor regarding delayed access to off-the-job training, the ETU added.

According to the ETU, its research further revealed that taxpayer-funded mentors failed to find training places for apprentices; did not advocate for apprentices to their employers; did not ensure that their on-the-job training was suitable or properly supervised; did not provide advice to handle disputes with employers; and in some cases sided with employers seeking to fire apprentices in disputes.

In one of the worst cases, an injured apprentice called his ACAP for advice after he was threatened with dismissal for saying that he would make a workers compensation claim. The ACAP gave no advice and offered the apprentice a meeting for two weeks later. The apprentice was dismissed the next day, in clear breach of workers compensation legislation and general protections under the Fair Work Act.

“This research shows that our training system is failing apprentices. We are withholding key safety training until apprentices have been on the tools for more than a year, and this is doubling the rate at which they are experiencing potentially deadly electric shocks,” said Electrical Trades Union National Secretary Michael Wright.

“It suggests that $200 million of taxpayer money is given to supposed mentors who are absent, ineffective or actively hostile to the interests of the apprentice they have been paid to support.

“This has been reported even when apprentices most need support — when they have had their training withheld, have been exposed to electric shocks, or they’ve fallen out with their boss.”

Wright said Australia would need more than 40,000 additional electrical workers in the next five years, but that nearly half of all electrical apprentices withdraw before they get their licence.

“Addressing the grave failures of policy and empathy that this research lays bare would be a great place to start and now would be the perfect time to do it,” he said.

_{*This figure represents approximately 10% of all apprentice members. Survey respondents came from all states, with a concentration in NSW and Qld. No weightings were applied to the results.}

Image credit: iStock.com/sturti