Apprenticeships (Traineeships) In Australia: A Complete Guide

If you want to jumpstart your career, an apprenticeship or traineeship is one of the best ways to move forward.

As an apprentice or trainee, you will benefit from the relevant and organised competency-based training through which you will learn new skills that you can use immediately. You will also get paid as you learn and gain valuable on-the-job experience.

Read the guide below to learn about Australian traineeships and apprenticeships, including how they can help advance your education for your dream job.

1. What Is an Apprenticeship or Traineeship?

Apprenticeships and traineeships combine hands-on job experience and training in an actual workplace, under the supervision of a real boss, for a salary.

Trainees and apprentices work towards getting a nationally recognised VET qualification while acquiring essential skills in the workplace and under the supervision of a training organisation.

You can complete an apprenticeship in Australia through RTOs (Registered Training Organizations), which are presently over 500 across the country.

Qualifications may vary from Certificates to Advanced Diplomas in various traditional trades and other disciplines that are becoming increasingly popular.

Other fields, sometimes referred to as non-trades, are service-oriented sectors, such as administration, business, community services, sales, and hospitality.

2. What Do Traineeships And Apprenticeships Offer?

Most fields, including foreign trades and developing industrial areas, provide apprenticeships and traineeships at various qualification levels. 

Over 500 different professions offer them, ranging from horticulture and agriculture to public service, construction, tourism, and hairdressing. Visit the apprenticeships Australia website for more information.

3. What Is The Difference Between an Apprenticeship And a Traineeship?

Although apprenticeships and traineeships are similar in how a student learns on the job, they differ slightly in terms of employment contracts and conditions.

Additionally, their completion time may also differ. Apprenticeships can take between 3 and a half to 4 years to complete, whilst traineeships can last anywhere from a few months to a year.

Another difference is that if an employer sells their firm, all apprentices hired must complete their apprenticeship with the new employer taking over the business from the previous owner. However, this is different from traineeship programmes. Participants will most certainly lose their jobs and programmes if this situation occurs.

Furthermore, the industries we typically see them in are another noticeable difference that differentiates them. Apprenticeships in Australia increasingly focus on achieving job objectives and satisfying sectors essential for the economy. This is why the government funds many apprenticeship courses.

On the other hand, traineeships are more suitable to meet short-term requirements and focus on occupational results. Many Australians rely on traineeships to enter rewarding professions like elderly care, hospitality, office administration, retail, and more.

4. What Are The Different Types of Apprenticeships and Traineeships Available?

For those interested in learning more about the process ahead of time, below are the most common apprenticeships and traineeships available:

School-Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships

Many Australian industries enable students to undertake a part of their traineeship or apprenticeship in Australia while still enrolled in school. It combines off-the-job training (for instance, at TAFE), paid work, and secondary school study. This is an excellent option if you've decided on a trade but still want to complete school.

Schools may allow you to participate in an apprenticeship or training by granting time off from academic subjects, such as enabling you to attend your training one afternoon every week.

Industries that provide school-based apprenticeships and traineeships include traditional trades (like plumbing), retail, hairdressing, and business services. It is always a good idea to check with your school's career counsellor to see if any suitable arrangements are in place to meet your training needs.

Some schools in Australia provide VET Schools programs, which allow one to pursue a practical course in Years 11 and 12 as part of the academics, ranging from certificate I to certificate IV.

Students can also combine their senior studies, school-based apprenticeship, and VET (Vocational Education and Training) qualifications through specialised RTOs (both independent and government-run).

Adult and Mature Age Apprenticeships and Traineeships

No matter your age, starting an apprenticeship or traineeship is the same for everyone. 

Suppose you are a little older and searching for a traineeship or apprenticeship. In that case, you may contribute life experience, maturity, and reliability to the business and other employees. Here are a few other things you might want to look into:

Being a mature-age trainee or apprentice, you may receive different salaries than younger trainees and apprentices. You can contact the Fair Work Ombudsman to discuss apprenticeship and traineeship wages.

Your current experience and skills (acquired via training, education, life experience, and work) can be used to credit you and shorten your training time. The formal acknowledgement of these skills is known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), which you can further discuss with the training organisation while negotiating the training plan.

Employers of mature-age trainees and apprentices may be eligible for specific government incentives. You can reach Apprenticeship Support in Australia to get more information.

Full-Time or Part-Time Apprenticeships or Traineeships

Here are a few things you need to know about full-time or part-time apprenticeships or traineeships:

• Part-time trainees and apprentices work daily, averaging 15 hours per week of training and working throughout a four-week cycle.

• Full-time trainees and apprentices get to have continued employment and train and work for an average of 38 hours per week. 

• The nominal term of a part-time traineeship or apprenticeship is typically twice that of full-time training.

• Existing employees can be hired as trainees or apprentices, either part-time or full-time.

5. What are the Entry Requirements for Apprenticeships and Traineeships?

Apprenticeships and traineeships often do not require any prior qualifications; thus, they are open to anyone legally allowed to work, including schoolchildren.

You can take the following steps to obtain an apprenticeship or traineeship in Australia:

• Step 1: Choose a career field that interests you the most, keeping in mind that there are over 500 traineeships and apprenticeships to select from. You can find a list of apprenticeships in Australia at apprenticeshipcommunity.com.au. Also, you can visit the Australian apprenticeships website to get detailed information.

• Step 2: Look for job openings and contact your local job services Australia provider, Australian apprenticeships centre, group training organisation, or other firms in your desired industry to find an employer ready to hire you as an apprentice. You will need an updated resume and might be required to fill out job applications and attend interviews.

• Step 3: As soon as you find an employer, ask them to contact your local Australian Skills and Training Information Centre or Apprenticeships Centre. They will assist you and your employer in enrolling in the National Training Contract and completing the required paperwork.

6. Who Can Do an Australian Apprenticeship or Traineeship?

Anyone, including adults, can begin a traineeship or apprenticeship if they are of working age and eligible to work in Australia.

You do not require a secondary school qualification or certification to begin your traineeship or apprenticeship. However, companies or employers can set their own recruiting criteria when employing staff. For instance, an employer may set a minimum requirement to complete a pre-apprenticeship or finish year 11 or 12.

While still in school, students can begin an Australian Apprenticeship. People re-entering the workforce, school leavers, and those looking to obtain new skills or change careers are popular candidates for apprenticeship and traineeship positions.

To be eligible for traineeships or apprenticeship programs, you must be:

• A permanent resident of Australia

• An Australian citizen

• A working visa holder or temporary resident for a duration sufficient to complete a traineeship or apprenticeship.

Note: It's crucial to talk about your situation and how it can affect your ability to begin a traineeship or apprenticeship. For additional information, get in touch with your Apprenticeship Network provider.

7. Where are Traineeships and Apprenticeships Offered?

RTOs (Registered Training Organizations) include schools, TAFE institutes, private providers, and Technical Education Centres that provide the traineeships and apprenticeships training component.

On the other hand, various employers, such as public service or private businesses, can fulfil the employment component. Not only that, but Group Training Organizations also offer apprenticeships and traineeships — they hire trainees and apprentices under a National Training Contract and position them with host employers.

8. What Are The Benefits of an Apprenticeship or Traineeship?

As a professional route, completing a traineeship or apprenticeship in Australia offers several advantages. Here are some of them:

• Get paid while you learn. You start earning money as soon as you begin working in the industry. This also implies you are entitled to employment benefits, such as superannuation and workers' compensation.

• Obtain a nationally recognised qualification that can serve as a springboard for further training and education throughout your career.

• Update your skills in a field where you already work.

• Develop practical skills relevant to the career or industry you choose to pursue.

• You may be eligible for government financial assistance and other perks to help with your training costs.

• Experience hands-on training in a classroom, in a workplace, or in a combination of both settings.

• Increase your worth as a skilled worker.

Note: You can utilise your traineeship or apprenticeship as a stepping stone to a higher-level certification, such as university qualifications or other Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualifications.

9. Quick Traineeship And Apprenticeship Facts

Australian traineeships and apprenticeships require employers to enter into a training contract with a trainee or apprentice, committing to train and work together for a set period (per the training contract length).

• Apprenticeships and traineeships can be school-based, part-time, or full-time. The school-based apprenticeship or traineeship offers some training to the apprentice or trainee while still in high school. On the other hand, individuals cannot pursue traineeships and apprenticeships if their work is infrequent, irregular, or just casual.

• Existing employees can undertake traineeships or apprenticeships.

• Apprenticeships and traineeships combine structured training with work.

• Employers must negotiate a training plan with the apprentice or trainee and the training organisation.

Now that you know everything about becoming an apprentice in Australia, you are ready to start your apprenticeship or traineeship journey and advance your career.

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