What's next?
When you have successfully completed your apprenticeship or traineeship, there are a number of pathways you can take on your way to a rewarding career:
Ongoing employment
Getting a job with another employer
Starting your own business
Further study
Changing careers
Ongoing employment
Getting a job with another employer
You can use the skills you have acquired through your apprenticeship or traineeship to get a job with another employer. Your training record and the qualification you obtained through completing your apprenticeship or traineeship can be used as evidence of your skills and knowledge when applying for jobs.
Below are some tips to help you find a job.
Be prepared:
When applying for a job, you need to make a good impression. An up-to-date resume that is professional and free of errors is a must. If you are invited for an interview, you will need to make sure you arrive on time, are well presented, and have a good idea of what you are going to say.
Search these websites for more tips on how to get a job:
www.jobjuice.gov.au
www.thesource.gov.au/find/career/getting_that_job.asp
www.dest.gov.au/sectors/career_development/
Finding a job:
- search the Internet - more jobs are advertised on the Internet than anywhere else. Some sites to try include:
www.seek.com.au
www.careerone.com.au
www.mycareer.com.au
www.jobsearch.gov.au
www.jobnetwork.gov.au
www.jobs.qld.gov.au
- apply for jobs advertised in the newspaper - search the careers or jobs section of your local newspaper
- contact employers directly - you can do this either in person or through a letter
- use personal networks - talk to your family, friends or teachers to see if they know anyone who has a job vacancy
- contact a Job Network member - these organisations can provide you with a list of job vacancies in your local area. Telephone 13 62 68 or visit www.jobnetwork.gov.au.
Check out more options in our Jobs and careers section.
Starting your own business
It is important to be aware of your legal, regulatory and financial obligations when starting a business. It is a good idea to get specialist advice and training in the day-to-day operations of a business, including record keeping, sales and marketing, and managing staff.
Useful information is available from SmartLicence, the Queensland Government's one stop shop for people intending to start a business. SmartLicence will provide you with information on all the government licences and permits required to operate a business in Queensland, including business name registration.
For more information, telephone SmartLicence on 1300 363 711 (toll free Queensland only) or 07 3001 6359 (outside Queensland) or visit the SmartLicence website.
Further study
On completion of your apprenticeship or traineeship, you will have received a certificate-level qualification (for example, Certificate 3 in Commercial Cookery).
You can use this qualification to help you go on to further study by gaining credit towards a higher level certificate or diploma course.
Your record of skill development and work experience may also help you if you apply for a university level course.
For information on the certificate and diploma level courses, and other training options available to you, visit our Courses section.
For information on how to apply for university courses, telephone the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) on (07) 3358 1222, or visit www.qtac.edu.au.
Changing careers
You may decide that the field of work in which you completed your apprenticeship or traineeship is not for you.
Often the biggest challenge is working out what job you want to do. It is important to think about what you want from a job and what your skills and abilities are.
The following websites are a good starting point to finding the job or career that is right for you:
www.jobguide.dest.gov.au
www.myfuture.edu.au
www.dest.gov.au/sectors/career_development/
www.thesource.gov.au/find/career/getting_that_job.asp
www.jobjuice.gov.au
You can choose to complete another apprenticeship or traineeship. However, if you have already completed a traineeship and choose to undertake another one in the same occupational area, you may not be eligible for funded training. This does not apply if you completed your traineeship as a school-based trainee.
For more information on entering into another apprenticeship or traineeship, telephone the Queensland Department of Employment and Training on 1800 210 210.
Check out further options in our Jobs and careers section.
Contact Apprenticeships info 1800 210 210 or Training Queensland 1300 369 935
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