What are apprenticeships and traineeships?

Apprenticeships and traineeships - a great way to kickstart your career.

Apprenticeships and traineeships combine practical experience at work with structured training.   Apprenticeships are generally in traditional technical trades like bricklaying or cabinet making.  Traineeships are usually in non-trade areas such as hospitality, business, manufacturing and health. 

As an apprentice or trainee, you enter into a formal training contract with an employer that leads to a nationally recognised qualification.

You spend most of the time in paid employment, learning practical skills on the job and putting them into practice. The rest of the time is spent in structured training at a registered training organisation like a TAFE college, or in the workplace.

The training requirements are part of your training plan which is negotiated between your employer, you and your registered training organisation.

Apprenticeships and traineeships are now competency based. This means you can complete your training earlier if you can show you have reached the skill levels required for your industry.

People of all ages can undertake apprenticeships and traineeships. Most can be undertaken on a full-time or part-time basis – and many can be started at school.