What's an Apprenticeship / Traineeship?

Apprenticeships and traineeships (also known as Australian Apprenticeships) are the major form of entry level employment and training for job seekers in Australia and are increasingly being used by existing employees to up grade their qualifications and skills to further their careers.

Apprentices and trainees are paid a wage (unlike university or college) while gaining relevant hands on experience, skills and knowledge through structured training. Australian School-based apprenticeships and traineeships allow you to start working towards gaining your apprenticeship or traineeship qualification while you are still at school.

This page is divided into five sections:

• Australian School-based apprenticeships and traineeships 
• Why you should start an Australian school-based apprenticeship or traineeship today!
• What's the difference between an apprenticeship and a traineeship?
• Can I still achieve an OP?
• Education Training Reforms for the Future (ETRF)

Australian School-based apprenticeships and traineeships

Australian School-based apprenticeships and traineeships allow students generally in Years 10, 11 and 12 to:

• Undertake an apprenticeship or traineeship while still at school
• Participate in a combination of school, paid work, theoretical and structured workplace training
• Progress towards gaining a nationally recognised qualification
• Work towards completing their Senior Certificate

In addition, a completed apprenticeship or traineeship qualification may increase the student’s chances of gaining entry into some tertiary courses.

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Why you should start an Australian School-based apprenticeship or traineeship today!

• Gives you a head start towards your career and a competitive edge when looking for future employment
• You earn an income and a nationally recognised qualification while still at school
• Provides you with important hands on skills and valuable industry experience
• Improves your confidence and communication skills, while building a strong work ethic
• You may become qualified even sooner with the opportunity to work extra hours after school, on weekends and school holidays
• You gain a qualification without a HECS debt, as the training is subsidised by the State Government
• May provide you with the opportunity to go on to further education after completing your qualification or further progress your career
• Once you become qualified, you have the opportunity to become your own boss, by starting your own business.
• You get to choose from over 600 exciting career opportunities
• You can undertake the type of training that suits your learning needs, including training delivered on-the-job, off-the-job, or a combination of both

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What is the difference between an apprenticeship and a traineeship?

A full-time apprenticeship will usually take you three to four years to complete and is traditionally referred to as a ‘Trade’ qualification, while a full-time traineeship will usually take you between one to three years to complete and generally covers all other non-trade qualifications.

Part-time and Australian School-based apprenticeships and traineeships normally take twice as long to complete as their full-time equivalent. Students who undertake an Australian School-based apprenticeship will generally work towards completing the “first” year of their apprenticeship by the end of Year 12. While a large proportion of students undertaking an Australian School-based traineeship will be able to complete their qualification by the end of Year 12.

Australian School-based apprentices and trainees, who have not completed their qualification before the end of their schooling, are able to continue in either a full or part-time arrangement, until they have attained their apprenticeship or traineeship qualification.

The good news is that apprenticeships and traineeships are now competency based, which means that the faster you can learn and apply your new skills, the sooner you can gain your qualification.

Examples of Apprenticeship and Traineeship occupations include:

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Can I still achieve an OP?

Overall Positions (OPs) are determined by the results from your top 5 Authority subjects. Generally students undertake 6 subjects in Years 11 and 12. If you are wishing to undertake an Australian School-based apprenticeship or traineeship you may have the ability to drop one subject, therefore allowing you to rearrange your curriculum in order to undertake your qualification.

Australian School-based apprenticeships and traineeships are available in most schools, whether you are OP eligible or not. Contact your school to verify that you are able to undertake this initiative.

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Education Training Reforms for the Future (ETRF)

The Queensland State Government has recently made important legislative changes to Queensland Education policy, which will come into full effect in all Queensland schools in 2006. ETRF aims to ensure that young people, who are engaged in the Senior Phase of Learning (typically aged between 15 and 17) are either “Earning or Learning”. 

ETRF legislation includes:

• Making it compulsory for young people to stay at school until they complete Yr 10 or turn 16, which ever comes first.

They will then be required to:

• Participate in education and training for a further two years, or until they have gained a Senior Certificate or Certificate Level III vocational qualification (including Australian School-based apprenticeship or traineeship) or until they turn 17.

These laws provide exemptions for people who enter full-time employment after they have completed Year 10 or who have turned 16.  

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