Apprenticeships and traineeships combine paid, practical on-the-job experience with structured training. And with more than 500 different qualifications in 16 industries, you have many exciting options to start a rewarding career, upgrade your skills or follow new directions.
You can choose either full-time or part-time programs, and some programs can even be started at school.
How do they work?
As an apprentice or trainee, you enter into a formal training contract with an employer that leads to a nationally recognised qualification. The qualifications are issued by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) such as a TAFE college, community organisation or commercial training provider.
You spend most of the time in paid employment, learning practical skills and putting them to work. The rest of the time is generally spent in structured training at an RTO, the workplace or via distance education. Details of the skills, training, timing and assessment are documented in a training plan which is agreed to by you, your employer and the RTO.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are generally in traditional technical trades like electrical, plumbing, bricklaying, cabinet-making and automotive mechanics.
See list of available apprenticeships.
How long do they take?
Apprenticeships can take up to four years to complete, but many programs can be completed more quickly. This is because they are skills based programs which can be completed at a pace that suits you and your employer — the sooner you can learn and apply your new skills, the sooner you can gain your qualification. When you successfully complete your apprenticeship you become a qualified tradesperson.
Traineeships
Traineeships are usually in non-trade areas such as multimedia, hospitality, business and manufacturing, sport and recreation — to name just a few.
See list of available traineeships.
How long do they take?
Traineeships generally last for 12 months but may extend for up to three years. As a trainee, you join a formal training program that generally combines off-the-job training with on-the-job work experience and training.
Apprenticeships or traineeships are great ways to kickstart your career. They boost your skills, improve your chances of getting a good job, and increase your earning power.
So what are the advantages of doing an apprenticeship or traineeship? Here are just a few:
Get paid
Traineeships and apprenticeships allow you to earn while you learn. What’s more, the progressive pay scale automatically increases as your skills increase.
The level of pay depends on your employer and the specific skills you are learning. But compared to going to uni (where you may have to work at night or on weekends to earn some money), you're going to be better off financially.
Some people can’t afford to leave the workforce to enter a training program or enrol in a course, so traineeships and apprenticeships are a good alternative.
Learn new skills
Traineeships and apprenticeships are great examples of the ‘learning by doing’ approach to education. Some people don’t enjoy learning in the traditional classroom environment; some might just be looking for a change or a new challenge. If you prefer to do something more hands-on and practical, enjoy variety and meeting new challenges, then traineeships and apprenticeships could be for you.
The real on-the-job work complements what you learn at TAFE or other training organisation. And while on-the-job you learn methods from your supervisor which you wouldn’t necessarily get from the classroom.
Get qualified
You gain a qualification that is recognised right across Australia, with evidence that you have the skills required. If you move to another job, future employers know they won’t need to spend a lot of time training you, and that you’ll have the ability to get on with the job quickly.
Get good jobs
There just aren’t enough skilled people to fill jobs, so once you’re qualified you’re going to be in demand. This means you’ll be busy and most likely paid well too.
Keep on learning
Extra qualifications such as in frontline management have helped many qualified apprentices and trainees move into leadership roles, enhancing their career paths while improving the quality of their business operations.
Example
You might start by doing a Certificate I in Engineering, then complete both Certificate II in Engineering and Certificate III in Engineering - Mechanical Trade. Later, as a trainee and employed in the industry, you could enrol in Certificate IV Frontline Management, ‘designed for managers and supervisors or staff seeking those positions’. If you successfully complete this you would be then be eligible for entry into the Diploma of Management.
Many TAFE graduates follow specialist interests and seek additional qualifications during their careers. If you have a supportive employer, you could continue to study for higher qualifications part-time while still earning a wage, thereby avoiding the huge HECS debts that full-time undergraduates build up. And many universities are making it easier for people with TAFE and other vocational education qualifications to enter university, in an effort to help solve future workforce shortages in key industries.
Recent success stories
The 2008 NSW Apprentice of the Year, Daniel Crisp, is completing a Diploma in Electrical Engineering at TAFE. He plans to gain his Fibre Optics endorsement and study Business Management in the future.
2008 NSW Trainee of the Year, Hannah Cubis, progressed from junior casual cashier to store manager in less than three years.
Read more ...
Get ahead
Lots of young tradespeople quickly become managers as their careers evolve and develop. Some even run their own business at a very early age.
The fact that you start earning money from the beginning of your apprenticeship or traineeship also means that you can start saving for that special car, deposit on a house or next great adventure much sooner than if you were spending long years at study.
A survey of some of Australia’s wealthiest people revealed that training in the traditional trades has been as useful to them in building multi million dollar businesses as undertaking a university degree. Advice to young people entering the workforce for the first time included:
‘Completing an apprenticeship will give security in jobs for the rest of your life.’ (Robert Gerard, Managing Director, Gerard Corporation Pty Ltd)
‘You don’t have to have a uni degree to successfully run your own business. There are many builders and developers out there that are not particularly academic but are great at what they do and earn a lot of money doing it.’ (Clive Berghofer, 70 years old and left school at age 13)
Read article: 'Study of Australia's richest people finds attitude plus skills most important ingredients of success'. Ritchie, Paul (2006) NSWBC.
Financial incentives
There are also lots of financial incentives provided by government: clothing allowances, free toolkits, travel concessions — even rebates on your car registration — to name just a few.
More information
Australian Apprenticeships financial incentives (NSW)
(pdf checklist)
Support for current Australian Apprentices
(Australian Government)
What's Job Network and why join up?
Job Network is a national network of private and community organisations dedicated to finding jobs for unemployed people. When you leave school, you can join a Job Network and obtain a Job Seeker ID Number. This allows you to access:
- Job search facilities including a touch screen kiosk (job matching services and career advice) and PC with Internet access
- Microsoft Word to edit resumes
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Personalised page on the Australian Job Search website
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Auto-matching service via email or sms
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Photocopiers and printers
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Telephone
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Employment consultants
Registering with Job Network also increases your exposure to employers.
