The term "Australian Apprenticeships" encompasses all apprenticeships and traineeships. Australian Apprenticeships combine training and employment and lead to a nationally recognised qualification.
An Australian Apprenticeship may be full time, part time or school based.
Australian Apprenticeships are available in a variety of certificate levels in more than 500 occupations across Australia, in traditional trades, as well as a range of emerging careers in most sectors of business and industry.
Features
Australian apprenticeships give you a way to start a career and get an industry based qualification without using the traditional routes of undertaking university or TAFE courses before being employed. You can also start at school with a school based apprenticeship.
As an apprentice or trainee you are employed while you train under a training agreement. This agreement outlines the qualifications you are expected to obtain, your obligations and the obligations of your employer.
Who can be an apprentice
Secondary school students
In a school based apprenticeship, you can earn competencies and qualifications from training packages while you are still at school.
School leavers
You can move from school to work in an apprenticeship that delivers not just a nationally recognised qualification but a comprehensive industry career pathway.
People seeking to change their career direction
If you want a career change, or to re-enter the workforce you can use an apprenticeship to gain industry qualifications that will provide you with industry career pathways.
People already in the workforce
You can use apprenticeships and training packages to gain qualifications for competencies you have already attained in the workforce. These qualifications will in turn give you access to industry career pathways.
Employment options
There are a number of ways you can do your apprenticeship. The most common is full time, but the following alternatives are also available in most cases:
Part time
To do your apprenticeship part time, you must work a minimum of 15 hours per week, averaged over a four-week period and be rostered to work on a regular and continuous basis.
School based
(Contact Chisholm direct regarding Australian school based apprenticeships)
A school based apprenticeship lets you study for your Senior Certificate and also undertake a nationally recognised qualification as a paid employee. You would generally work one to two days per week and attend school on the remaining days. Other arrangements such as working blocks during school holidays can be negotiated.
Assistance available
Support
Australian Apprenticeships Centres and Group Training Organisations can provide information, help and support at all stages of the apprenticeships cycle, from helping employers recruit a new apprentice, funding and incentives from government, to managing and completing an Australian apprenticeship.
Funding and incentives
Australian Apprenticeships attract both Commonwealth and State and Territory financial assistance for eligible employers to help reduce the cost of training.
Wages
As an apprentice you will usually paid a reduced training wage reflecting the time you spend in the workplace.
Training packages and Australian apprenticeships
Training packages are based on competencies required in the workplace. The competencies have been developed by industry to meet specific skill requirements of that industry.
Employers may choose different combinations of competencies within the rules of each training package that determine the Australian apprenticeship qualification. In some cases different combinations of competencies can lead to the same qualification.
Australian Apprenticeship Centres (AACs)
Australian Apprenticeship Centres are contracted by the Commonwealth
Government to provide a free service to:
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give advice on the selection of an appropriate training package
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give information and advice on selecting an appropriate registered training organisation
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give advice on employer and new apprentice rights, responsibilities and obligations
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help to complete and register the training agreement
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give advice on the Commonwealth and State Government incentives available and assist in lodging claims if eligible
Australian School Based Apprenticeships
Many schools now offer the option for you to start an Australian Apprenticeship while at school. You can combine your senior school studies with employment and a vocational qualification. Your school based apprenticeship can contribute to your VCE or VCAL studies. To find out more, talk with the VET Coordinator or careers adviser at your school.
For further assistance:
Community agencies can also assist schools with local information about school based apprenticeships.
