: Finding a Job
Finding a Job
Select an apprenticeship or traineeship that suits you
With a choice from over 600 different qualifications, you are sure to find a School-based apprenticeship or traineeship that suits your particular career goals, interests and abilities. Australian School-based apprenticeships and traineeships are a great way to get ahead in your chosen career and cover nearly every industry you can think of. Some of these include:
- Agriculture
- Baking and Cooking
- Building and Construction
- Engineering
- Hairdressing
- Business
- Information Technology
- Retail
- Legal
- Tourism and Hospitality
- Sport and Recreation and hundreds more...
For a comprehensive list of qualifications click on apprenticeships or traineeships
Queensland Training Information Service
Once you have found an apprenticeship or traineeship qualification that you are interested in, go to Queensland Training Information Service (QTIS) and enter your qualification of interest.
QTIS will provide you with comprehensive information on your chosen apprenticeship or traineeship including a vocational summary, nominal durations, course code, available training organisations, list of competencies and other important information on your chosen occupation.
How to find an Australian School-based apprenticeship or traineeship vacancy
Currently employed
If you are currently employed on a casual or part-time basis and would like to undertake an Australian School-based apprenticeship or traineeship in that field, advise your employer of the benefits of converting your existing employment into an Australian School-based apprenticeship or traineeship. Click Here to email QAS your employer’s details so we can forward them the relevant information.
If you are not currently employed:
Contact your school’s Careers Advisor/VET Coordinator to obtain advice on suitable career choices and available Australian School-based apprenticeships or traineeships to suit your needs.
Most schools actively encourage their students to obtain industry experience through Vocational, Education and Training (VET), as it provides valuable hands on skills and experience, making you more employable after you complete your schooling.
Most schools offer their support and assistance by:
- Revising your curriculum to include time for both on and off-the-job training
- Structuring your work placement to ensure you receive a minimum of 48 days paid work per year
- Jointly signing a document which outlines your training requirements to ensure you receive the necessary industry skills
- If necessary, providing you with school work which you may have missed while undertaking your apprenticeship or traineeship
- Providing support and advice on the impact the apprenticeship or traineeship will have on your studies and after school time.
Develop your resume and cover letter
Before you start speaking to an employer you need to put together a personal resume and covering letter in order to market your skills to prospective employers. Click here to find more on selling yourself to potential employers.
Decide on your employment location
It is important to decide on what areas or locations you would like to work, taking into account available access to public and private transport options.
Speak to your closest acquaintances
Consider approaching family, friends, relatives, local or family owned businesses for work opportunities. If you know someone that can offer you employment, ask them to contact Queensland Apprenticeship Services to speak to one of our dedicated Australian School-based Consultants, who will provide them with free information and advice on employing you.
Undertake Work Experience
Consider looking at work experience in an area in which you would like to undertake an apprenticeship or traineeship. This allows you to prove yourself to potential employers and allows you to see if you have made the correct career choice.
Register with a Group Training Organisation (GTO)
A Group Training Organisation may be able to help you secure an Australian School-based apprenticeship or traineeship. Group Training Organisations (GTO’s) employ School-based apprentices and trainees directly and then host them out to employers for an agreed amount of time and set fee.
Group Training Organisations can help you by:
- arranging and monitoring the on and off-the-job training
- acting as consultants and trouble-shooters for both you and your host employer throughout the entire period of employment and training
- arranging rotations with other host employers to broaden your training
- arranging alternate work placements when required
- counselling and caring for you throughout your apprenticeship or traineeship
- looking after the paperwork including wage, holiday pay and sick leave
As GTO’s pre-screen all applicants, students wishing to register will usually need to:
- Submit a resume and covering letter
- Undertake a general knowledge test
- Attend an interview
Click here to view a list of Group Training Organisations
Applying for a position
Once you have found a vacancy, send your resume and cover letter addressed to the appropriate person. Make sure that you follow-up with the employer to ensure that your resume has been received. This will also give you an opportunity to ask more questions about the position and potentially stand out from other applicants.
QAS Job Seekers Card
Queensland Apprenticeship Services has developed a unique Job Seeker Card, which promotes the benefits of employing you as an apprentice or trainee to potential employers. All you need to do is fill in your name and contact number and hand the card to those employers you are interested in working for.
To order a supply of Job Seeker Cards, contact QAS today on 1300 360 955.
Contact Queensland Apprenticeship Services
Once you have found an employer who is interested in placing you in an Australian School-based apprenticeship or traineeship, contact Queensland Apprenticeship Services and we will arrange the sign-up, including assisting with the completion and lodging of the paperwork.