Your Guide to an Apprenticeship in Victoria

Earn while you learn

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.

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.

I'm under 20

If you are under 20, a citizen, permanent resident of Australia, or other specific category holder, you are guaranteed a government subsidised training place for a pre-apprenticeship, apprenticeship or traineeship through the Victorian Training Guarantee.

If you want to begin training while still at school, you can complete a School-based Apprenticeship or Traineeship. This combines practical experience in the workplace, formal training with a registered training organisation and school studies. A School-based Apprenticeship or Traineeship may also be credited towards a VCE or VCAL.

I'm over 20

If you are over 20, a citizen, permanent resident of Australia, or other specific category holder, and are interested in commencing an apprenticeship from 1 January 2011, you will have access to government subsidised training through the Victorian Training Guarantee, regardless of your prior qualifications.

What is an apprenticeship

An apprenticeship is a training contract between an employer and an employee in which the apprentice learns an occupation or trade.

Choosing an apprenticeship

The Australian Apprenticeships website at australianapprenticeships.gov.au allows you to search through a range of apprenticeships and jobs in many industries.

Right now, there are career opportunities available in many occupations. Completing an apprenticeship in one of these areas could lead to excellent job prospects for you in the long term.

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

Step 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:

talkmytrade.com.au
sras.com.au
sarinarusso.com.au
myfuture.edu.au
jobguide.deewr.gov.au
gtav.com.au

Step 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.

Step 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.

Step 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:

Call Sarina Russo Apprenticeship Services on 1300 178 776
visit australianapprenticeships.gov.au
visit jobsearch.gov.au
Call a Job Services Australia provider like Sarina Russo Job Access on 13 15 59
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.

* Source - Victorian Government Department of Education and Early Childhood Development