Your Guide to an Apprenticeship Earn while you learn iteria you are e above cr If you meet th you are also: eligible if ars old ye • under 20 Earn while you learn a i r o t c i ng V e r u t u f e a r o f g n i n Trai TAFE and training is a great way to gain a nationally recognised qualification that will improve your ability to enter the workforce and enhance your career prospects. An apprenticeship gives you the skills and experience you need to help your career reach its full potential, and you also get paid to learn! You can do an apprenticeship if you are a school-leaver, re-entering the workforce or as an adult worker simply wishing to change careers. You can even begin your apprenticeship while you’re still at school finishing Years 11 and 12. nister i M , e k i P m Bronwyn articipation. P Workforce An apprenticeship can be offered in a variety of qualification levels in many different occupations. An apprenticeship combines time at work with training, and can be full-time, part-time or school-based. ent is esaff developm st ed u n ti n co s petitive I’m under 20 Ken believe retain its com to s im es n so si u is b ge ng sential for his nologies emer ch te in ew se n o e th es If you are under resident of Australia, or other specific ding as tha citizen, permanent ntage 20, re advaholder, I in El working. f o ys a you are guaranteed a government subsidised trainingleplace w Certificate II o find a secucategory e g is h d r, te o d p a and chan m ss co ba sity o HAVINGthe for a pre-apprenticeship, apprenticeship through Victorian at the Univer new Skills Amor traineeship s ‘s m n te io g ys S re e y s g th d d e Goldfiel trotechnolo his apprentic people aroun Training de ThGuarantee. g completed in to a number of av f h ry o ment has ma o d e st n an r o t ei is lara rat, Ben De Ken to share th ectrical Balla reed while g El a r em se ve th a La h raining systIfem p you want to begin training still at school, you can complete a Schoolh o el g h h u at Laser n thro state w d electrician ow training ca ifie hTraineeship. al u se q li y a ll re fu skills. s based Apprenticeship or This combines practical experience in a er sks from now help oth performing ta life goals. d ly n a ab t, er ra re la ca al r training with a registered training organisation and n large f cal B fulfil theiformal 00 places the workplace, aintenance o ry in this m o g st in ’s o d en K to t s u school studies. 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Now I’m qualified to work alone, manage jobs and projects and to assist and train apprentices on the I job.” rat Courier trade, which Photo: Balla in the electrical with e fuposition in th range of skills d o o g a in ec e El ill leave m cate III in op–e w - Deahn Electrician Bal f o ty si er iv n n e U ly B ture. logy, we real ship ges in techno an is apprentice ch id p ra is “With the the door.” rat, Ben Dean with a foot in ay st to id tr ee ec n place in ian at Laser El anges taking ch e th at g th in ere forwir Dean said Ben apprenticeship? tasks from What assive and w m e is an er w e , es ad ri tr l to concto the electrical e on large fa at it was vita th d an d ve ro p ever beiisngaim An apprenticeship training contract between an employer and an . g in n ai tr ay nue the apprentice you m in ti which learns an ot through or trade. e goccupation it's becauseemployee tra training h ex e in s th es at cc th d helped him He said sounding su d his skills an ce n va ad s Choosing an apprenticeship ll WorldSki ompetitions. he is today. e electrician th e re m nI t o ra ec b la Bal Australian Apprenticeships website s competitio killaustralianapprenticeships.gov.au en won the The orldSat W al n io f it o at d t rn te lo Inte sen ing and a “For the through to search ay range and jobs in trofainapprenticeships st year repreallowsf you rs u o h an at ex m o o d lion get to ly ad to spend al h er en g ving a medalmany industries. t o would n ased elecwas stuff you e industrial-b s ll Right in many occupations. he said.opportunities available rld Skinow, there rk,” career woare programming National Wo n was areas ar le to ad Completing an apprenticeship in one of these could h I touch lead to excellent ney. e main thing ntroller) and “Thyou o C ic g Lo le g job prospects for in the long term. in electrimmab of gain tomation of PLCs (Progra au e s was one way nticeth l o tr n at I h co appre ories. Now th screens, whic ct fa in mpleting his ly n ai now ons, m equipment, I'm h cal installati is th se u to ic how this area, wh have learned one through s at work in b jo te le p e had underg m able to co lls had been ians can do.” ugh WorldSki ot all electric h n ic h e can pass w at te tion where h si e rapid ra o p a it in is ep ers. ant to ke And now Ben t was import wledge to oth How do I find an apprenticeship in Victoria? One of your first steps should be a visit to your local Australian Apprenticeships Centre. They can help you find an apprenticeship. They are able to link into job-matching services to place you in touch with employers. Importantly, they can tell you if you are eligible for government financial assistance for an apprenticeship and help you complete the relevant application forms. Get started by finding an Australian Apprenticeships Centre using the search tool at australianapprenticeships.gov.au or by calling the Australian Apprenticeship referral line on 13 38 73 (local call cost). The Australian Apprenticeships website explains what steps you need to take. It provides: • information to help you choose an industry you want to work in • information on job prospects and weekly earnings • ways to find job vacancies • tips on how to market yourself • tips on how to apply for positions and write an application • tips on ways to increase your chances of success at interviews. You can also visit a Group Training Organisation in Victoria. They can offer you expert advice and assistance to find the right apprenticeship. Visit gtav.com. au or phone (03) 9639 3955 for more information. Group Training is a training and employment arrangement where an organisation, known as a Group Training Organisation or GTO, employs apprentices and trainees under an Apprenticeship / Traineeship Training Contract and places them with host employers. Otherwise, you can look for an apprenticeship in the same way as looking for other jobs. You will find apprenticeships advertised online or in the newspaper. You can also approach employers directly to express your interest. How much will I get paid to be an apprentice? Apprentices are usually employed under a federal award or agreement. You will be paid an apprentice wage which takes into account the cost of your training and the value of the work you do. In addition, apprentices have the same rights to superannuation, workers’ compensation and other entitlements or requirements as all other workers in Australia. How long will it take me to complete an apprenticeship? An apprenticeship can take from one to four years to complete, depending on the type of apprenticeship and the qualification you do. You may be granted course credits for any skills you already have and your prior experience in the workplace, potentially reducing your formal training time. Apprenticeships are ‘competency based’ which means you can complete your training as soon as you learn the required skills. Can I start an apprenticeship while I’m still at school? If you’re still at school, you may have developed an interest in an industry but want to finish your Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL). If that’s the case, talk to your career adviser about a School Based Apprenticeship or Traineeship. Under this training, you’ll spend time at school, time with your employer and some time training with a TAFE or other training provider. I’ve been out of school a while. Can I still become an apprentice? Anyone of working age can become an apprentice, subject to citizenship or visa conditions. Apprenticeships are not only for the young. Mature workers are known for their ability to bring commitment to their industry — a fact well recognised through increasing numbers of older workers doing apprenticeships. If you‘re already employed, there are some conditions to transferring from your current employment status to an apprenticeship. Your employer will need to discuss your particular situation with an Australian Apprenticeships Centre. Steps to finding an apprenticeship One Decide what you want to be! Visit australianapprenticeships.gov.au, search through a range of apprenticeships and see which one best suits you. If you are still at school, discuss apprenticeship options with your career advisers or teachers. Some more websites to help you are: • myfuture.edu.au • jobguide.deewr.gov.au • gtav.com.au Two Make sure you have an up-to-date resume. Don’t forget to include: • contact details • your school studies, achievements and work experience • your interests, skills and career goals. Visit youthcentral.vic.gov.au for more tips on preparing a resume. Three Start looking for an employer to employ you as an apprentice. You can do this by: • • • • looking in the job vacancy ads in your local paper or online contacting an Australian Apprenticeships Centre in your region to assist you with job-matching services contacting employers in the industries you’d like to work in contacting a Group Training Organisation in your region. You can also visit jobsearch.gov.au. This website advertises apprenticeships in your local area and has details of your local Job Services Australia provider who can also help you. Or contact a Victorian TAFE. They may be aware of employers in your chosen field. To find your closest TAFE visit skills.vic.gov.au. Four When you find an employer willing to take you on as an apprentice, ask them to call their local Australian Apprenticeships Centre if they have not done so already. The Centre will help you and your new employer with all the paperwork. For more information about apprenticeships, personal benefits for apprentices and general employment information visit: • an Australian Apprenticeships Centre. Call 13 38 73 to find Australian Apprenticeships Centres in your region or visit australianapprenticeships.gov.au • visit jobsearch.gov.au • Find a Job Services Australia provider in your region. Call 13 62 68 to find the one closest to you • Contact a Group Training Organisation via gtav.com.au • For queries on Youth Allowance, Austudy VET FEE-HELP or ABSTUDY call the Centrelink Australian Apprenticeships hotline on 13 36 33 or visit centrelink.gov.au • If you are a person with a disability, there is a range of support available when you start an apprenticeship. Call the Employment Assistance Fund on 1800 464 800 or visit jobaccess.gov.au for more information. Caitlin Wohlgehagen Certificate III in Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) Box Hill TAFE Caitlin Wohlgehagen is a third year apprentice with acclaimed chef Guy Grossi at Grossi Florentino. “At school you learn all the theory and the nitty-gritty. Work’s really hands-on and you learn what it’s really like in the industry. I love it.” Caitlin Wohlge h agen – Appren ti ce Che f Published by the Victorian Government Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, 2 Treasury Place, East Melbourne, March 2011. This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. Authorised by the Victorian Government, Melbourne. For further information: Department Logo – Overview For further information on courses and training providers visit skills.vic.gov.au or call the TAFE Course Relationship 1 Line on 13 18 23. Relationship 2 Colour Logo – 2 Spot Colours Colour Logo – 2 Spot Colours DeptLogo_Rel_1_Col.ai DeptLogo_Rel_2_Col.ai