Former Domino’s Murray Bridge franchisee banned for failures

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The former owner of Murray Bridge’s Domino’s pizza franchise has been banned from hiring trainees after failing to provide training to more than 80 per cent of those on his company’s books.

Team Van Diemen SA Pty Ltd and its director, Peter Mark Johnson, were declared prohibited employers last Thursday after an investigation by the South Australian Skills Commission.

Mr Johnson no longer has anything to do with Domino’s in Murray Bridge, as the franchise was taken over by two new owners in September.

Perhaps that is just as well.

Out of 249 training contracts Mr Johnson’s company had signed since 2021, at a dozen Domino’s franchises, just 48 were successfully completed.

The commission wound up terminating another 145 training contracts because the employer had provided “limited or no” off-the-job training, as required by law.

Seventy-two training contracts were withdrawn, and the last four trainees had their contracts terminated but were offered support to continue their training elsewhere.

Trainees and apprentices must receive training

Companies which hire trainees or apprentices are required, by law, to arrange for them to be trained to make up for their lower rates of pay.

Most of South Australia’s employers complied with those laws, said state Education, Training and Skills Minister Blair Boyer.

“(But) this is a clear case where the employer has not acted in the best interests of its trainees and has failed to provide the support required for their training,” he said.

Skills Commissioner Cameron Baker and Josh Peak, the secretary of retail workers’ union SDA SA, both said their organisations would do their best to protect trainees from exploitation and mistreatment.

“Traineeships are there to provide workers with real skills, not to pay workers less or rort the taxpayer,” Mr Peak said.

“All traineeships must provide a meaningful benefit to the workers undertaking them.”

Parent company promises a review

In a statement, a Domino’s spokeswoman confirmed that the Murray Bridge franchise had changed hands since the beginning of the investigation.

She told Murray Bridge News that the company was committed to complying with workplace obligations.

“Domino’s was not aware of the circumstances leading to the franchisee being named on the prohibited employer register,” she said.

“We take these allegations seriously and are reviewing this matter as a priority.

“At Domino’s, we are proud to provide a safe and supportive working environment for tens of thousands of team members across Australia, providing many with their first job, as well as career pathways from pizza maker to entrepreneur and executives.”

Team Van Diemen SA’s listing as a prohibited employer will apply indefinitely.

• Get help as a trainee or apprentice: Visit skillscommission.sa.gov.au or call 1800 006 488.