What training is involved?
Apprenticeships and traineeships are made up of a combination of work and training. This training can take place while you are at work, with a training provider, or using other training delivery methods.
Training plan
Recognition of existing skills
Training record
Training delivery
Training plan
You, your employer, and your training provider, need to develop a training plan for your apprenticeship or traineeship.
This training plan outlines:
- your current skills
- what training you need to do
- who will deliver the training
- when and where training will be delivered
- how long training will take
- when and how training will be assessed and monitored
- what qualification will be issued on completion of training
- any special training needs.
Your training plan must include details of training delivered off-the-job. This is training that takes place outside of your normal work duties.
The training plan is to be completed and signed by you, your employer, your training provider, and your parent or guardian if you are under 18. This must be done before the end of the probationary period. Three copies must be kept: one by you, one by your employer and one by your training provider.
Recognition of existing skills
If you have been working in an apprenticeship occupation for a significant period of time (at least six years full-time after you turned 21 years of age), you may be eligible to have your existing skills recognised. This process of recognising existing skills is called 'recognition of work or training' or 'trade recognition'.
If you think you may be eligible, this process should be undertaken prior to entering into an apprenticeship.
If you are not eligible for trade recognition, or you are a trainee, once you have entered into your apprenticeship or traineeship you should discuss the skills you already have with your training provider. Getting your skills recognised this way is called 'recognition of prior learning'.
For more information on trade recognition, or recognition of prior learning telephone the Apprenticeships Info on 1800 210 210.
Training record
Within 14 days of the training plan being developed and signed, your training provider will give you a training record. A training record can be in the form of a book, on CD-ROM, or in another format. It will be used to record when you achieve the competencies outlined in your training plan.
You are responsible for looking after your training record. As each new skill is learned, your employer and your training provider should complete the relevant section.
This training record belongs to you and can be used to:
- demonstrate what training has been completed
- gain credit or exemptions in other training courses
- show that you have achieved competency
- assess when you move to the next wage level (if applicable)
- confirm completion of the training program
- assess skill levels.
Your training record must be regularly updated and signed by your employer and your training provider (at least every three months).
Training delivery
The way you receive training will depend on the apprenticeship or traineeship, your employer's business needs, and your learning style.
Classroom delivery removes you from routine work duties to undertake training in a classroom environment. Classroom delivery can take place in a block of several weeks or in a pattern of single days, with the training provider, or in a classroom or similar training venue at your workplace.
Flexible delivery removes you from routine work duties to undertake training using distance, correspondence, online or Internet training tools, combined with instruction delivered using face-to-face, video link or teleconferencing methods.
Work-based delivery allows you to develop the knowledge and skills required as part of normal work. Training is delivered in the workplace by your employer, with guidance and support provided by the training organisation. There is no government funding paid for work-based training delivery.
You will discuss how you will receive training with your employer and your training provider when you formulate the training plan. At this stage, your training provider should also decide if you need any special training, such as extra help with maths or reading.
Contact Apprenticeships info 1800 210 210 or Training Queensland 1300 369 935
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