Become an apprentice or trainee

Australian apprenticeships and traineeships are a great way to set yourself up for the career you want in a competitive job market. They allow you to combine work and study and gain a nationally recognised qualification whilst earning a wage.

Apprenticeships and traineeships explained:

Apprenticeships and traineeships are jobs that combine paid work and structured training:

• Apprenticeships are generally traditional technical trades which normally take three to four years to complete, depending on the trade. Some apprenticeships include plumbing, hairdressing, building and construction, electrical, mechanical and many more.
• Traineeships are usually in non-trade areas. The length of a traineeship depends on whether it is undertaken on a full-time or part-time basis. It also depends on the level of qualification undertaken. For example, a Certificate III generally takes one year to be completed if undertaken full-time, and two years if undertaken part-time. Traineeships are available in many areas including business services, automotive services, community services, hospitality, retail, printing, transport and logistics and much more.

Benefits of apprenticeships and traineeships: 

• Gain nationally and internationally recognised qualifications
• Earn while you learn
• Get hands-on, practical work experience
• You’ll get marketable skills that are attractive to employers
• You may be eligible for financial assistance from the government
• You may be able to finish sooner if you reach the required skill level quicker than expected
• You may be able to gain recognition of existing skills.

Who can become an apprentice or trainee?

Apprenticeships and traineeships are open to anyone who can legally work in Australia. There are a range of options available to school students, mature age entrants, people with a disability and people from an indigenous background.

Find out more about how to start an apprenticeship or traineeship by contacting Queensland Apprenticeship Services on 1300 360 955.