How do I get an Apprenticeship or Traineeship?

Apprenticeships and traineeships combine practical work with structured training to give you a nationally recognised qualification and the experience you need to get the job you want. Apprenticeships are usually for a longer period than traineeships (e.g., most traineeships take approximately one year full-time to complete, while many apprenticeships take up to four years full-time). Whether you do an apprenticeship or traineeship depends on the career area you wish to enter.

Apprenticeships and traineeships are now available in over 500 occupations in a large range of industries. Go to the following website for a list of apprenticeships and traineeships available in Queensland.

Department of Education, Training and the Arts

www.trainandemploy.qld.gov.au/index.html

(Select: Apprenticeships and traineeships)

For more information about apprenticeships and traineeships see the following websites

www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au/default.asp

www.getatrade.gov.au/

If you are interested in obtaining an apprenticeship or traineeship, apply the following steps

1. Decide what sort of apprenticeship or traineeship you want .

Use the following websites to explore careers or contact the Queensland Department of Employment and Training on 1300 369 935.

www.myfuture.edu.au

www.jobguide.dest.gov.au

2. Find an employer

• Explore your personal network. Do you, your parents, or friends know an employer who might take on an apprentice or trainee?
• Contact a Job Network member for job vacancies in your area.

www.jobnetwork.gov.au

 

• Contact employers directly or in writing.
• Contact a group training company.

http://www.gtaltd.com.au/

• Look in the newspaper, especially the career section of the Saturday Courier Mail
• Use the internet

www.workplace.gov.au

www.careerone.com.au

www.seek.com.au

www.myfuture.edu.au

 

• The Defence Forces also offer trades and apprenticeships.

www.defencejobs.go v.au/

 

3. What if I can’t find an employer?

To improve your chances of obtaining an apprenticeship or traineeship you could consider completing a prevocational course or another certificate level course related to the area of work in which you are interested. These can be undertaken at a TAFE institute or other registered training organisation. The following website will give you access to information about courses at all institutes of TAFE in Qld.

www.tafe.qld.gov.au

 

You can find a list of registered training organisations on this website.

 

www.ntis.gov.au/

 

4. Once you have found an employer who will take you on as an apprentice or a trainee

• Your employer will select a training provider to deliver the formal part of your training. This may be a TAFE institute or another registered training organisation.

• You will be required to sign a training contract. This is an agreement to work and train for a specific time.

• All apprenticeships and traineeships have a probation period. During this time you and your employer decide whether you want to continue your employment. This is a time when you evaluate whether you are sure that this is the employment pathway you want to pursue.

Good luck with your traineeship or apprenticeship.

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