company i work for just hired 3 or 4 apprentii (not sure 2 on my shift at least and a couple others around the place) this is in addition to the 3rd and 4th years we already have -
the boss calls up the local TAFE here in Perth and asks for them - other than that there are a couple that have approached them from outside asking for apprenticeships
the ones that came from outside tafe picked up the phone - called reception - asked for Chief Eng, or his number and got a hold of him direct; basically did all the leg work themselves