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Finding a Job

Select an apprenticeship or traineeship that suits you

With a choice from over 600 qualifications, you are sure to find one that suits your career goals.

Apprenticeships and traineeships are a great way to get ahead and cover nearly every industry you can think of including: Agriculture, Baking and Cooking, Building and Construction, Engineering, Hairdressing, Business, Information Technology, Retail, Legal, Tourism and Hospitality, and Sport and Recreation.

Steps to becoming an apprentice or trainee

  1. Select your qualification. See what is available on the Department of Education and Training website:

  2. Once you have found an apprenticeship or traineeship, enter your qualification of interest on the Queensland Training Information Service (QTIS) website. QTIS will provide you with more information including a vocational summary, nominal durations, course code, available training organisations, list of competencies and other important information.

 

How to find an Australian School-based Apprenticeship or Traineeship

Contact your school’s Careers Advisor/VET Coordinator to obtain advice on suitable career choices.

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 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 support, advice and school work you may have missed while undertaking your qualification


Currently employed

If you are currently employed on a casual or part-time basis, advise your employer of the benefits of converting your existing employment to an Australian School-based apprenticeship or traineeship. Click here to email QAS your employer’s details so we can forward them the relevant information.

 

Find an employer 

Once you have prepared your resume you are ready to start looking for a position. Send your resume and cover letter addressed to the appropriate person. Make sure that you follow-up, to see that your application has been received. This will also give you an opportunity to ask questions and potentially stand out from other applicants.

Click here to find more on selling yourself to potential employers.

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.    

There are a number of sources you can use to find a position. These include:

Approach Employers that you are interested in working for

You may want to search through the Yellow Pages, the Internet or visit an employer face-to-face.

Register with a Group Training Organisation (GTO)

GTOs employ apprentices and trainees directly and then host them out to employers for an agreed amount of time and set fee. They 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

To contact a GTO click here.

Register with an Employment Service Provider (ESP)

The Australian Government introduced Job Services Australia to meet the employment and recruitment requirements of both job seekers and employers.

Other job seeking methods include:

  • TAFE or Private Registered Training Organisations
    Many of these organisations employ Job Placement Officers who may be aware of apprenticeship or traineeship vacancies.

  • Regional or Metropolitan Newspapers 
    Check out the employment section of your local or regional newspapers.

  • Employment Websites
    Log on to an employment website. The most popular sites are:
  • Speak to your closest acquaintances
    Consider approaching family, friends, relatives, local or family owned businesses for work opportunities.

  • 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. 

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. 

 

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