In This Section Introduction New apprenticeships for people with a disability Other benefits How do you find an apprenticeship/traineeship? Australian Apprenticeship Centres Further information

Introduction

The 'Australian Apprenticeship System' is a Federal Government initiative funded by the Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST). New Apprenticeship is a term that is used to describe 'Traineeships' and 'Apprenticeships'.

Australian Apprenticeships are when you combine employment in a job and structured training such as attending TAFE to gain a formal qualification.

Apprenticeships result in a 'trade' qualification and are completed full time over 4 years. A trade qualification can include occupations such as a mechanic, hairdresser or builder.

Traineeships enable you to gain a national qualification (Certificate 2 to Certificate level 4) and can be undertaken on a full-time or part-time basis. Traineeships include areas such as tourism, technology and retail.

Australian Apprenticeships are very flexible and can:

• include young and mature aged workers
• be shared between businesses if an employer does not have enough work for a full-time position.

Formal training is provided when you are an Apprentice/Trainee. This can be provided:

• On-the-job. This is where the employer provides both 'hands on' work experience as well as formal training while in the job. A registered training organisation attends the workplace to monitor the training and assess your competencies.

• Off-the-job. This involves working in the job to gain practical skills and going to TAFE or a registered training organisation for 1 day a week (or block release) to gain the theoretical skills and qualifications.

• As a combination of both.

	When Van applied for a position as an apprentice electrician, he and his employer were interviewed by an Australian Apprenticeship Centre officer to register Van as an apprentice. At the interview Van was asked if he had a disability and told the officer that he had learning problems at school and might need some help to complete his apprenticeship. The Australian Apprenticeship Centre officer suggested Van register as an apprentice with a disability and have his learning needs assessed to see if he qualified for assistance under the DAAWS (Disabled Australian Apprenticeship Wage Support) program. When Dan's eligibility for the DAAWS program was approved by the New Apprenticeship Centre, TAFE were able to provide an extra teacher to give Van assistance after class and revise the day's lessons. Van was also entitled to a reader/writer to assist him during exams. As Van received assistance at an early stage in his course, he has successfully completed his first year and has moved into his second year of apprenticeship.

New Apprenticeships are available in both traditional areas such as construction and hairdressing and non-traditional areas such as information technology and tourism. Click here to check out some of the new occupations that are available under New Apprenticeships.

New Apprenticeships for People with a Disability

People with a disability can and do succeed in employment, sometimes with the assistance of a traineeship or apprenticeship.

The Australian Apprenticeship program is a great way for you to work and earn some money as well as gain formal qualifications. This enables you to set yourself up for a career. You end up with a qualification that gives you a big advantage in the job market because it tells employers you have both the practical experience and the training employers need.

The Australian Apprenticeship program provides additional benefits and incentives to both you as an Apprentice/Trainee with a disability and your employer. The benefits and incentives include:

• Disabled Australian Apprentice Wage Support (DAAWS)
  DAAWS is a Federal Government incentive payment in the form of a weekly wage subsidy made to employers who employ an apprentice with a disability in an Australian Apprenticeship.
  
  DAAWS is also available to an employer who currently employs a New Apprentice with a disability who became disabled during the New Apprenticeship.

• Assistance for tutorial, interpreter and mentor services
  Financial assistance is provided to the training organisation to assist in the training needs of a New Apprentice with a disability. Assistance can be in the form of tutorial, interpreting or mentoring support.

• Workplace modifications
  Financial assistance can be provided to the employer to assist in any changes that may be needed to the workplace for an Apprentice with a disability. This may include leasing, purchasing or hiring of equipment.

	Gus was offered a traineeship in Horticulture after completing work experience at the local Golf Course. When interviewed by the Australian Apprenticeship Centre, Gus and his employer told the officer that Gus had a physical and intellectual disability that would prevent him from undertaking a full time traineeship. The employer, Gus and the Australian Apprenticeship Centre officer agreed to apply for DAAWS (Disabled Australian Apprenticeship Wage Support) program and negotiated a part time traineeship, two days a week over a thirty month period. TAFE was able to provide a support teacher on-site for Gus to assist him and the employer to structure his training program and Gus attended TAFE for modules he was not able to access at the workplace. The Disability Employment Network service trainer assisted Gus and the employer to make necessary adjustments at the workplace to enable Gus to fully participate in his traineeship.

Other Benefits

Other benefits for Trainees/Apprentices may include:

• free training (enrolment fees may apply)
• earning an income whilst learning the skills of the job
• Living Away From Home Allowance (LAFHA)
• Commonwealth Trade Learning Scholarship for apprentices in skills shortage areas. Payment is made after an Apprentice completes the first 12 and 24 months full-time (or full-time equivalent) employment in the New Apprenticeship
• financial assistance to purchase tools for your trade. This is for apprentices in skill shortage areas
• Youth allowance or Austudy for over 25's

Additional benefits for Trainees/Apprentices in NSW may include:

• Public transport concessions for travel in NSW government buses, ferries and trains for trainees and for 1st, 2nd and 3rd year apprentices
• Payments under the Vocational Training Assistance Scheme (VTAS) to reduce the travel and accommodation expenses of trainees and apprentices who need to travel more than 120km (round trip) to attend day or block release training with a registered training organisation.
• Car registration rebate to 1st and 2nd year apprenticeships

Financial assistance is not available from the New South Wales Government for existing worker trainees.

NOTE: DAAW'S funding is an alternative to the 'general incentive's listed above. All financial incentives are subject to State and Commonwealth government eligibility criteria.

How do you find an Apprenticeship/Traineeship?

Here's what you should do:

STEP 1: Explore the Australian Apprenticeships Training Information Service website to help you decide on the industry you want a New Apprenticeship:

If you are with a Job Network, Disability Employment Network service or a Vocational Rehabilitation Service, then talk with them about your options. Here are some other useful websites:

• Job Guide
• My Future
• The Source

STEP 2: Find out what job vacancies are available locally for New Apprentices in the industry or industries you're interested in:

• Visit the Australian Job Search website.
• Check your local newspapers for job vacancies.
• If you are with a Job Network, Disability Employment Network service or a Vocational Rehabilitation Service, then talk with them about their networks with employers in the area.

STEP 3: Market yourself

• Tell everyone you know including your parents and friends that you are looking for a job.
• Put together a list of potential employers - note down the names and contact details of local employers and check the Yellow Pages.
• Phone each company and find out the name and title of the person responsible for recruitment.
• Write them a letter explaining who you are and that you're enquiring about doing a New Apprenticeship with their company - include the benefits to them of taking you on as a New Apprentice.
• Tell them why you believe you would be a good employee and detail any work experience you may have.
• If you are unsure about marketing yourself and writing letters to employers then get some help, either from family, friends or employment services such as Job Networks, Disability Employment Network services or Vocational Rehabilitation Services.

STEP 4: Write job applications/apply for positions

• The Job Guide website provides some great tips on how to write a job application, letter, and resume.
• If you unsure about applying for jobs then get some help, either from family, friends or employment services such as Job Networks, Disability Employment Network services or Vocational Rehabilitation Services.

STEP 5: Go to interviews

• There are lots of things you can do to increase your chances of success at interviews. The Job Guide website provides some excellent tips on how to make the best impression at a job interview.
• If you need help in interview techniques and going to interviews then get some help, either from family, friends or employment services such as Job Networks, Disability Employment Network services or Vocational Rehabilitation Services.

Australian Apprenticeship Centres

Australian Apprenticeships Centres are a great resource to get information about New Apprenticeships. New Apprenticeships Centres are located in over 500 sites across Australia. Australian Apprenticeships Centre services include:

• providing information on Australian Apprenticeships options to job seekers, employers and other interested people
• marketing and promoting Australian Apprenticeships in the local area
• administering Commonwealth incentive payments to employers
• working together with Job Network providers, training providers, schools and other organisations in their local regions.

For further information about Australian Apprenticeships, including Australian Apprenticeships for People with Disabilities:

• Ring 1800 639 629 (freecall)
• Check the Australian Apprenticeship website
• Check the national database of Australian Apprenticeship Centres

Further Information:

• General Information
• Assistance to Apprentices with Disabilities
• JobAccess website: Apprenticeships and Traineeships