Getting started in your apprenticeship or traineeship
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There are 5 steps to getting started in your apprenticeship or traineeship:
Step 1: choose the right apprenticeship or traineeship
Step 2: find an employer
Step 3: choose a training provider
Step 4: complete the paperwork
Step 5: use the probation period to be sure
Step 1: choose the right apprenticeship or traineeship
To find an apprenticeship or traineeship that suits you, think about what you enjoy doing and what your interests are. Find out if there is an apprenticeship or traineeship offering skills you will enjoy learning. For more information, telephone Apprenticeships Info on 1800 210 210.
The following websites are also a good starting point to find out more about career options:
- www.myfuture.edu.au
- www.jobguide.dest.gov.au
- www.thesource.gov.au/find/career/getting_that_job.asp
- www.jobsearch.gov.au
- www.dest.gov.au/train/careers.htm
Step 2: find an employer
Once you have decided which apprenticeship or traineeship you want to do, you will need to find an employer who will give you a job so you can earn while you learn. You can do this by:
- contacting a Job Network member - these organisations can provide you with a list of job vacancies in your area. Call 13 62 68 or visit www.jobnetwork.gov.au
- contacting employers directly - either in person or through a letter
- contacting a group training organisation directly or calling 1800 819 747 to find a group training organisation that can place you with a host employer
- applying for jobs advertised in the newspaper
- searching the internet - visit www.jobsearch.gov.au
- using your personal networks - talk to family and friends to see if they know anyone who could employ you as an apprentice or trainee.
Be prepared. When applying for an apprenticeship or traineeship, you need to make a good impression. When you go to an interview, remember to take information including a written background about yourself, your school studies and any jobs you may have had (resume). Learn more about writing your resumé.
Search these sites for tips on how to get that job:
- www.jobsearch.gov.au/
- www.thesource.gov.au/find/career/getting_that_job.asp
- www.dest.gov.au/train/careers.htm
When you speak to employers, find out as much as you can about the job. Ask them what they will want you to do, what hours you will have to work, how you will be trained, and what you should wear to work.
Step 3: choose a training provider
Training providers deliver off-the-job training to apprentices and trainees. Training providers will work with you and your employer to help develop a training plan, deliver training, assess your achievement of skills, and issue the qualification on successful completion of your apprenticeship or traineeship. Training providers may be TAFE institutes or training colleges.
Each training provider offers different ways of training apprentices and trainees. You and your employer should shop around for the right one to suit both your needs.
For a list of training providers relevant to your chosen apprenticeship or traineeship, contact an Australian Apprenticeships Centre on 13 38 73 or Apprenticeships Info on 1800 210 210.
Step 4: complete the paperwork
You will need to sign a training contract documenting the roles and responsibilities of you and your employer. The training contract is an agreement to work and train together until you achieve the necessary skills.
An Australian Apprenticeships Centre will assist you and your employer to complete the training contract and can be contacted on 13 38 73.
Your training provider will assist you and your employer to develop your training plan. Your training plan will set out what you will learn, where you will learn it, how you will be trained, and how and when you will be assessed.
Step 5: use the probation period to be sure
Probation is a period of time when an apprentice or trainee works and trains with their employer before each decides whether to continue with the apprenticeship or traineeship. Probation usually lasts 90 days for an apprenticeship and 30 days for a traineeship.
Before the end of probation, you and your employer must both decide whether you want to continue with the apprenticeship or traineeship and complete the training contract. If you both decide to continue, you and your employer agree to work together until you achieve all necessary skills.
For further information, read the guide for apprentices and trainees [PDF 584kb].
Contact Apprenticeships info 1800 210 210 or Training Queensland 1300 369 935
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