Australian Apprenticeship Information The Government has reformed the apprenticeship and traineeship system to encourage employers to offer more jobs to young people. Young people will find more flexible arrangements for combining work with vocational training and an increased number of apprenticeship opportunities. Apprenticeships will become available in more industries and occupations, particularly in new industries and where new technologies are emerging. Australian Apprenticeships encompass existing apprenticeships and traineeships to provide young people with training options which: More information about apprenticeships can be found at the Australian Apprenticeships website; australianapprenticeships.gov.au The off-the-job training component involves achievement of competencies through the demonstration of skills and knowledge and is undertaken part time at either a college/institute of TAFE or through a private provider registered with the relevant State Training Authority. Classes are normally held in daytime and may be either on a day release basis or in blocks of one week or more spaced at intervals during the year. Traditionally apprenticeships have taken four years to complete whilst traineeships have taken one year, but this is changing. Apprenticeships have moved to a competency-based system where the apprentice must be able to demonstrate that he/she has the skills before receiving a qualification or progressing to the next level. The competency-based system allows apprentices to learn at their own pace and possibly complete the apprenticeship in a shorter period of time. With the introduction of competency-based training as well as the government reforms, there are now varied durations for apprenticeships and traineeships as well as varied proportions of training and productive time. Most apprenticeships are currently administered by State Training Authorities. Apprentices or trainees sign a written contract called either a 'contract of training' in some states, or a 'training agreement' in others. The contract/agreement requires the employer to guarantee to train the apprentice or trainee in the agreed occupation or training area, and to allow time off work if necessary to attend any off-the-job training. In return, the apprentice or trainee agrees to learn all aspects of the occupation or area of training and to work for the employer for a specified period. As the terms of the contract/agreement depend on varying circumstances, information about them can be obtained from the State Training Authority. An apprentice or trainee remains an employers responsibility throughout the term of the contract. However, if any party wishes to end the relationship, he or she should first contact the State Training Authority so the correct procedures may be followed. The Australian Student Traineeship Foundation (ASTF) encourages schools and employers to jointly develop appropriate combinations of school studies and vocational programs (including apprenticeships and traineeships) involving learning in the workplace. This gives secondary students the opportunity to gain recognised academic and vocational qualifications. Under the Youth Pathways Program, the Department of Education, Science & Training (DEST) has contracted brokers to deliver a range of services to students of school leaving age and schools, which may include: Brokers work with young people who would otherwise leave school without completing their Year 12 studies with a view to encouraging them to remain at school. The preference is for these young people to remain at school and undertake a VET program. If you want to undertake an apprenticeship or traineeship you must first find an employer(or a Group Training Company*) who is both eligible and willing to take you on as an apprentice or trainee. There are a number of things you can do to help your search for an employer who will take you on as an apprentice or trainee: *A Group Training Company is a 'not-for-profit' organisation which takes on apprentices and trainees and then hires them out for short or long periods to employers who do not have the capacity to take them on full-term. Group Training Companies organise the off-the-job training, pay the wages and ensure that each apprentice or trainee receives practical on-the-job training and experience by rotating them amongst one or more employers. In this way, apprentices tend to gain a wider range of trade experience because of the different kinds of work done by the various employers. Increasingly, employers are seeking to recruit school leavers who have completed relevant vocational studies in high school. Check with your local TAFE or Industry Training Advisory Board about entry requirements for specific apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs.
What is an Australian Apprenticeship? Features of Australian Apprenticeships Training Agreements Terms of the Training Agreement Australian Apprenticeships in Schools Finding an Australian Apprenticeship Educational Requirements
Apprenticeships and traineeships provide the opportunity to enter the workforce while still receiving formal training and may combine off-the-job training at an approved training provider with training on-the-job and practical work experience, or they may be conducted entirely on-the-job.
A probation period exists for both apprenticeships and traineeships and may vary in length. This period enables the apprentice or trainee and the employer to assess whether each will be satisfied in the coming years of employment. During this time, either party may terminate the contract/agreement by giving the appropriate amount of notice in accordance with the award or employment agreement.
School-based apprenticeships and traineeships enable students to achieve nationally agreed competencies under a training agreement while being paid and continuing to study at school. They have a number of features including:
Some employers prefer applicants who have completed at least Year 10 secondary education, or equivalent although it is now becoming more common for employers to look for people who have successfully completed Year 11, Year 12, or perhaps a pre-apprenticeship course. They may also specify certain subjects they want you to have passed.
Author : ATA
Date : 17/07/2003
