A 2006 study of apprentices commencing with a Group Training Organisation in an Australian regional centre identified factors that appear to support apprentices in their first year. The research demonstrates that school subject selection and access to work-related experiences while still at school make an important difference to completion of the first year of an apprenticeship. Critically, however, first-year apprentices also require a supportive home life to offset negative work practices in some industry areas. (Contains 6 tables, 1 figure and 3 notes.)