27 Nov 2017

Apprenticeships and traineeships are an awesome option for a whole range of industries. But it seems that there are still a lot of unanswered questions surrounding working and study as an apprentice or trainee. Let’s answer some of those burning questions.

1. Am I eligible?

Yeah m8s, you just need to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident and old enough to work (that’s 15 and older). You don’t need any previous qualifications, but it might help if you’ve done a certificate II at TAFE or completed a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship through school, or if you’ve had a little work experience in the field (not necessary though!).

2. Will I be qualified when I finish?

Yeah, that’s the point. An apprenticeship typically involves four years of hands-on work experience, plus a certificate course in your chosen trade (eg. a Certificate III in Engineering) through a registered training organisation (RTO) like TAFE. Generally speaking, you’ll either work four days per week and spend the fifth day at TAFE; or undertake your off-the-job training in blocks, where you might be at TAFE for a week at a time. This can vary depending on the job and the industry. After that, you’re a fully qualified tradie.

As for traineeships, these usually last between 12 and 24 months and work in a similar way. You may be attending TAFE or you might be learning entirely on-the-job, but either way you’ll end up with a qualification when you’re done.

3. Does it cost anything?

Actually, you’ll make money while you learn. An apprenticeship or traineeship is basically a job, so your employer pays you for the work you do. The vocational training at TAFE does cost money, but this can be granted as a loan to be paid back later through VET Student Loans, just like HECS for university. TAFE fees can also be subsidised by the government’s User Choice program and there’s also the Trade Support Loan, which can provide up to $20,000 of financial help if you’re really strapped for cash. Sometimes your employer will even cover your tuition fees, so you’ll have to check for yourself what the deal is for your job.

There are other costs involved, such as buying work gear, tools and transport but generally you’ll earn more than you spend on training and tools, so it’s a win overall.

4. How much will I earn as an apprentice?

Pay scaling is a little bit complicated so it’s not just a matter of providing a dollar amount. As an apprentice or trainee, you’re entitled to the award rate of pay within your industry. The government has created a pay calculator for apprentices and trainees to figure out the award wage that they’re entitled to. There are also certain working entitlements that you should be granted that are worth knowing about.

5. How do I start?

It’s just like applying for a job, so you need an up to date resume that details your schooling, work and volunteer experience. If you’re fresh out of school and don’t have any experience yet, it’s no big deal, just include the subjects you did best at and your transferable skills. Here’s some more advice on creating a tight resume. References from teachers and elders will help too.

If you’re looking for work in a trade, there are a couple of things you can do to make yourself look more attractive to an employer. Getting your OHS White Card is required if you want to work on a construction site and can be completed online. Plus, having your drivers license so you can drive from site to site is pretty handy too.