What is a training plan? 


You, your employer, and your training provider, and your school if you are in school, need to develop a training plan for your apprenticeship or traineeship. This training plan outlines:

• your current skills
• what training you need to do
• who will deliver the training
• when and where training will be delivered
• how long training will take
• when and how training will be assessed and monitored
• what qualification will be issued on completion of training
• any special training needs

Your training plan must include details of training you do off-the-job. This is training that takes place outside of your normal work duties. The training plan is to be completed and signed by you, your employer, your training provider, and your parent or guardian if you are under 18 at high school. Three copies must be kept: one by you, one by your employer and one by your training provider.

What is a training provider?

You will need to choose somewhere to do your training. Contact ABL Apprenticeships Centre (ABLAC)on 1300 652 236. We will help you find a somewhere suitable. It could be either a TAFE, or a private Registered Training Organisation (RTO).


Recognition of existing skills called ‘Trade Recognition’

You may be eligible to have your existing skills recognised if you have been working in an apprenticeship occupation for at least six years full-time after you turned 21 years of age.  

This is called 'recognition of work or training' or 'trade recognition'.

If you think you may be eligible, talk to ABL Apprenticeships Centre (ABLAC) on 1300 652 236 before you start your apprenticeship.

If you are not eligible for trade recognition, or you are a trainee, you may still get your previous learning or skills recognised by getting what is called ‘recognition of prior learning’ or ‘recognition of current competency’. ABLAC can assist with this information or you may find out from your training provider after you start your apprenticeship or traineeship.

Training record 

Within 14 days of the training plan being developed and signed, your training provider will give you a training record.

It will be used to record when you achieve the competencies outlined in your training plan.

You are responsible for looking after your training record. As each new skill is learned, your employer and your training provider should complete the relevant section. This training record belongs to you and can be used to:

• demonstrate what training has been completed
• gain credit or exemptions in other training courses
• show that you have achieved competency
• assess when you move to the next wage level (if applicable)
• confirm completion of the training program
• assess skill levels.

Your training record must be regularly updated and signed by your employer and your training provider (at least every three months).


Training options

You and your employer can choose how you will do your training. Such as:

1.   classroom

2.   flexible delivery uses online or internet training tools, combined with instruction delivered using face-to-face, video link or teleconferencing methods

3.   work-based training allows you to develop the knowledge and skills required as part of normal work. Your employer trains you in your workplace, with guidance and support provided by the training organisation.