Apprenticeships and Traineeships
Australian Apprenticeships is the term which includes both apprenticeships and traineeships. They combine time at work with training and can be full-time, part-time or school-based, they give you a nationally recognised qualification and the experience you need to get the job you want. For more info see www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au
Apprenticeships normally last three to four years and are usually offered in the traditional trade industries such as plumbing, carpentry, building, electrical and hairdressing.
Traineeships normally last one to two years and are most often specific to non-trade areas such as hospitality, retail, information technology, business administration, sport and recreation.
School-based apprenticeships and traineeships
Senior high school students can start some apprenticeships or complete a traineeship while at school.
As a school-based apprentice/trainee, you'll be paid while being trained — and both your on-the-job and off-the-job training can contribute to your HSC. What's more, since you'll already have a job and have started your training, you'll be qualified quicker.
School-based apprentices work part-time and start the first stage of their structured training while at school. School-based trainees work part-time and complete their formal training by the end of their HSC year. For more info see www.sbatinnsw.info
- Who is eligible and benefits
- Support available for people with a disability
- How to find an Australian Apprenticeship
- Links
Who is eligible and what are the benefits?
Australian Apprenticeships are available to anyone of working age with or without a secondary school certificate or other qualification. You can be a school-leaver, re-entering the workforce or an adult worker simply wishing to change careers.
Australian Apprenticeships provide a range of benefits:
- a pathway from school to work, or from one career to another
- lead to nationally recognised qualifications and skills which provide the basis for employment, further education and training over the course of your working life
- involves paid work and structured training that can be on-the-job, off-the-job or a combination of both
- existing skills and prior experience can be recognised and course credit granted, potentially reducing formal training
- 'competency based' which means you can complete your training faster if you reach the required skill level.
Support in apprenticeships/traineeships for people with a disability
DAAWS is available to an employer who employs an Australian Apprentice with a disability who has been assessed as a person requiring assistance.
Assistance is payable directly to the Registered Training Provider in respect of an Australian Apprentice with disability who has been assessed as eligible for DAAWS and who requires additional assistance with off-the-job training. An Australian Apprentice with disability may attract this form of assistance regardless of whether their employer receives the DAAWS.
Funding for necessary modifications to the workplace may be provided to employers of Australian Apprentices who are disabled. These may include such things as the purchase, lease or hire of equipment to help the Australian Apprentice in their work. The employer may be reimbursed to a maximum amount of $5,000 (GST exclusive) for each eligible Australian Apprentice.
How to find an apprenticeship or traineeship
If you have a disability you can receive help to find an apprenticeship/traineeship from the Disability Employment Service (DES). There is more information about this in the employment section of this website.
The DES can assist your jobseeking by helping to prepare your resume, research and apply for jobs, approaching employers on your behalf, arrange work experience and workplace adjustments etc. Students in the six months before leaving school can register directly with a DES and begin the process of jobseeking during that time. Your support teacher or careers adviser can arrange for a DES provider to visit at your school to arrange registration. Refer to the Jobsearch website for information on finding a DES provider.
Here are some other ways to find an apprenticeship or traineeship:
- Get careers advice. More information is available on this website.
- Do some networking. Talk to friends, relatives, careers advisers and people in the industry. For example, if you are interested in doing an apprenticeship in horticulture, ask a gardener how they got to where they are now –a lot can be learned about job prospects and the field of work itself.
- Find out as much information as possible about the business by researching online or by visiting and asking questions. Be prepared! Make individual contact with potential employers in businesses in the industry you are interested in - either by letter and resume or by calling in person.
- Australian Apprenticeships are often advertised on the Jobsearch website. Click on New South Wales, then occupations, and then you can specify a search for Australian Apprenticeships.
- Apprenticeships/ traineeships are advertised in major and local newspapers.
- An Australian Apprenticeships Centre or Group Training Company may be able to assist. Check the employment section in a newspaper and search other jobs databases.
- Check community notice boards for advertisements.
- Visit websites of suitable companies and organisations – many have information about vacancies and how to apply.
Links for more information
(The information in this section has been sourced from the following websites)
Australian Apprenticeships: www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au
The Australian Government’s main website on the program.
Australian Apprenticeships Job Pathways: www.aajobpathways.com.au/
A one-stop website that let’s you search for more information.
Australian Apprenticeships Access Program: https://accesstraining.deewr.gov.au/
Information for people with disabilities
NSW Apprenticeships and Traineeships: https://www.training.nsw.gov.au/individuals/apprenticeships_traineeships/index.html
