How To Prepare For Apprenticeship ?
Are you considering going for an apprenticeship? Great!
An apprenticeship is both a job and a training program at the same time. So like applying for a job, you will also need to do some preparation to be able to present yourself as a great candidate.
An apprenticeship will be a significant commitment of your time, energy and focus, so it’s best you know what you’re getting yourself into.
Here are our Tips to Best Prepare Yourself to Get One of the Coveted Spots in Our Apprenticeship or Traineeship Programmes!
Preparing for an Apprenticeship
First thing’s first, understanding what role you want to apprentice for.
There are many roles across industries that offer apprenticeships today, even if you have your heart set on building and construction alone: cabinetmaking, carpentry, painting & decorating, plumbing, shopfitting, signs & graphics, spatial information services and wall & ceiling lining.
However, there are also trades outside construction like horticulture, engineering, electrotechnology, and automotive. As well as traineeships in vocations like business administration, financial services or IT. So the pool of choices is diverse.
You may find yourself already gravitating towards a specific certification. But there could easily be one that’s very similar that you may find you enjoy or can later see yourself doing more once you read the task list. So it’s best to take your time.
There’s no rush in figuring out the best apprenticeship or traineeship for you – it’s a commitment that deserves certainty.
Look through our apprenticeships here.
On top of 3-4 year trades apprenticeships, you can look through a range of traineeships that focus on providing vocational pathways to administration, financial services, information technology, property services and transport & logistics.
If you’re Struggling to Understand What the Best Career Path is for you, Consider these Things:
List Out Your Skills
Torn between a few different vocations? By listing out skills, you can narrow into which vocations you’ll bring the most value to and feel the most comfortable in, while you’re still trying to decide. There are also online quizzes for this that can help you out.
Examples of these could be:
- Communication skills
- Active listening
- Maths
- Problem-solving
- Computer programs
- Physical strength and endurance
Ask Yourself These Questions:
- What do I want out of a job?
- What are the most important factors of a job to me?
- What kind of environment do I want to work in?
- What kind of tools or technologies do I want to work with?
- Do I prefer to work by myself, as part of a team, or both?
- What do I want my work-life balance to look like?
- What do I most enjoy when working?
Consult with a Career Advisor
If you’re a school leaver or are considering taking on a school based apprenticeship or traineeship, then you have access to a school career advisor. Why not make an appointment?
Interview Someone or a Few People from that Industry
If you have a mate in the line of work you are interested in, or they are in a related field (and may also know someone who does), ask them if you can sit down with them for a chat over coffee. Asking some questions in an informal space can be a great way to get a better sense of what the work and work environment is like and what about the work makes it fulfilling.
If you can’t meet with someone in person, the next best thing could be reading or asking questions in related online forums like Quora or Reddit.
Learn the Demand & Market Trends Around Your Role.
Check Labour Market Insights
Labour Market Insights (LMI) is the Australian Government’s data collected insights through the National Skills Commission.
LMI is filled with population census data about Australia’s workforce, average weekly income and statistical-based projections of new or in-demand roles. So it’s a good resource to understand what the industry and demand for the apprenticeship/traineeship you are considering will look like in a few years.
You can also check your considered future occupation on the National Skills Commission’s Skills Priority List.
Next, Understand your Support and Rights as an Apprentice.
Know Your Rights
Remember to read what you are entitled to as an apprentice or trainee, according to the Australian Government Fairwork Ombudsman.
Find Out if you’re Eligible for Financial Support
Apprentices and trainees tend to earn less, so it’s a good idea to find out if you can get any support.
- Australian Apprentice Training Support Payment
As an Australian apprentice, you may be eligible for financial assistance from the Government to help look after your living expenses while working on completing your apprenticeship.
You may be eligible for up to $5,000 if you apply for and get into an apprenticeship on the Australian Apprenticeship Priority List.
- Trade Support Loans
You also may be able to apply for an interest-free loan of up to $22,890 over your apprenticeship if you are undertaking a certificate iii or iv on the Trade Support Loans Priority List and are an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
Find a Group Training Organisation that Supports You
Group training organisations (GTOs) hire apprentices and trainees and place them with a host employer to learn, work and practise their skills. As a group training organisation, 1300apprentice has helped successfully place over 2000 apprentices and trainees in work.
We will pay for your TAFE or Registered Training Organisation off-the-job training and pay your income weekly as your employer, so you have constant stability, even when you’re in between host employers.
We also pair you with a field officer to complete your induction into your apprenticeship or traineeship, to help you complete paperwork and know what to expect. Our field officers mentor you throughout your whole apprenticeship journey.
Read our FAQs to learn more.
Know What your Apprenticeship or Traineeship Provider is Looking For
Like a job ad board, where employers post their requirements for a new worker. Job ads for new apprentices and trainees operate the same way.
Our common requirements for our apprenticeship and traineeship intakes are:
- A genuine interest in the desired apprenticeship/traineeship
- Willingness to commit to completing a certificate iii or iv
- Good communication skills
- Driver’s licence and own transport is a bonus
- Computer skills for related traineeships
- Australian citizen or permanent resident with rights to work in Australia
Send us your resume and a cover letter outlining what apprenticeship you want and why.
It’s also a good idea to reach out to your contacts and ask if they would be a referee for you.
At 1300apprentice, we’re accepting of all cultures, genders, sexual orientations and backgrounds and encourage everyone to apply. Please note, however, that only eligible applicants will be followed up for an interview.
How to Prepare for an Apprenticeship Interview
Preparing for an apprenticeship interview with a GTO is very similar to prepping for any interview elsewhere.
- Dress smart for the interview
- Arrive 10 mins early
This is a good way to be ‘early, but not too early’. You don’t want to be late, but you don’t want to come so early that the interviewer isn’t yet prepared to greet you. Remember to also plan your commute ahead of time, or leave before traffic gets busy if you’re driving. - Figure out how you will introduce yourself
An interview is about understanding you, how you handle yourself and what potential you hold. One of the first questions to any interview is ‘tell me about yourself.’ Prepare yourself for this question with relevant information about the role you’ve applied for. - Know how to articulate your goal
In an interview, your potential employer will always want to know if you will be satisfied in the work and career path of the role you are applying for. This could mean knowing where you want to be 5 years down the track, whether it’s starting towards a specialist or leadership role. This is about expectations, which will be just as important for us when it comes to matching you with a host employer, for an experience that satisfies and challenges you. What are your ambitions? - Have some questions prepared for us
An interview is always an opportunity to come away with more knowledge than you went in. As in any job interview, it’s important to demonstrate your passion and curiosity by preparing some questions to ask your interviewer. Like ‘what do you like about working in this industry?’ or ‘what is each day like?’ Remember to look directly at the person when talking.
And… silence your phone and put it out of sight.
Start looking for apprenticeship and traineeship jobs with 1300apprentice now.
