How An Apprenticeship Program Works?
What is an Apprenticeship? And why do so many career councillors mention it?
If you’ve been thinking about your next steps into learning and building a career, you’ve probably also been one of many students in Australia considering going off the beaten path to university or a private college and undertaking a trades apprenticeship.
As an apprenticeship program provider and employer – who has successfully helped place over 2000 apprentices with host employers and in successful careers – we can help.
In this blog, we’ll be answering exactly what an apprenticeship and an apprenticeship program are, how it all works and what else you can expect if you’re up for the challenge.
To first answer what an apprenticeship program is – it’s important you first know exactly what is an apprenticeship.
What is an Apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a structured training method, often consisting of 4 years. Apprentices learn through practical experience at work and off-the-job training, through a Registered Training Organisation (RTO).
This combination helps develop important skills and make sure they are fully honed for critical work, that could not be developed in a classroom environment alone.
Apprenticeships also provide a lot of added benefits compared to traditional routes to education:
- No HECs or HELP debt!
Unlike studying at university, apprenticeships don’t have exorbitant costs. In fact – apprenticeships are financially covered by the employer and the government.
This is one of the biggest reasons we’ve seen students turn away from enrolling in a university or private college.
- Apprentices start building experience and earning money from week one.
While many university students won’t be able to start building experience till after they graduate.
(And you know how important experience is if you have already heard uni grads in your peer circle complaining about how hard it is to get their foot in the door to get the hands-on experience employers are looking for.)
At the end of apprenticeship training, apprentices also gain a certificate iii or iv in their discipline.
What is an Apprenticeship Program?
An apprenticeship program refers to the whole structured learning experience that you’ll go through as an apprentice, particularly through Group Training Organisation.
1300apprentice is a Group Training Organisation, which means we are an agency that hires apprentices and trainees and places them with host employers.
While you can technically get into an apprenticeship with an employer yourself, without the help of a GTO – going through an apprenticeship program helps give you the best support to present yourself in front of employers, find the best match for your personality and skillset, and receive other critical help along the way of your apprenticeship when you need it —- like finding you a new employer if your host employer runs out of work.
We offer a range of different types of apprenticeship programs at 1300apprentice, outside of traditional trades. So you can explore options related to automotive, building and construction, electrotechnology, engineering and horticulture.
How does an Apprenticeship work?
- You get supervised by your employer for safety and to help coach you on the job
- Your employer provides 38 hours per week of working and training (on and off the job)
- You will also be working on completing your related certificate
What is included in an Apprenticeship Program?
As a Group Training Organisation, we’ll also look after these things for you:
- Wages (paid weekly*)
- Allowances for financial support while training
- Annual leave (and annual leave loading)
- TAFE/RTO training fees
- Mentoring and support
- WHS/PPE
How to start an Apprenticeship Program
Nearly anyone can undertake an apprenticeship: school leavers, year 11 & 12 students, mature-aged workers, women, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. As long as you are an Australian citizen or a permanent resident with the appropriate rights to work.
A must is to have a genuine interest in the role and the capabilities to do the tasks required.
Besides that, the restriction is that you must not have already undertaken training in the units of competency in the same vocational path. As there won’t be any more value in the pathway for you to repeat the qualification.
As mentioned earlier, to start an apprenticeship, you do need to have the support of a Registered Training Organisation and an employer. So applying for an apprenticeship isn’t too unlike applying for a job, except we don’t expect you to have experience.
Can’t find a job you’re interested in or related to the vocation you want to take?
You can contact us with your expression of interest instead (remember to also include your resume and cover letter.)
What is the difference between an Apprenticeship and a Traineeship?
If the idea of working and learning at the same time – and finishing your studies debt-free – appeals to you, but you’re looking for more options, you might consider doing a traineeship instead.
Traineeships and apprenticeships are quite alike.
The main difference between them, is traineeships offer on-the-job and off-the-job training for a broader range of careers and typically can be finished in 1-2 years. While apprenticeships mainly cover skilled trades.
The 1300apprentice Difference
- Our field officers thoroughly help in the process of vetting and onboarding apprentices and keeping them on track
- We’re a multi-award winning agency for ‘Employer of Choice’ for remuneration, work-life balance, leadership, recruitment and onboarding.
- We have successfully placed over 2000 apprentices in fulfilling work
Above all – our greatest successes as a Group Training Organisation are in the apprentices and trainees we have helped empower to find rewarding, evolving and sustainable careers. As well as in the employers we’ve helped find valuable and reliable talent.
Want to learn more about what we do for apprentices, trainees and employers? Or just want to introduce yourself and say hello?
Contact Us today for a chat.
