What Are Traineeships And Apprenticeships?

Traineeships and apprenticeships combine work-based training with an employer and accredited training from a course provider. This creates the opportunity for students to work and earn money while studying for a nationally recognised qualification ranging from a Certificate II to an Advanced Diploma.

What is the difference between traineeships and apprenticeships?

Apprenticeships cover a skilled trade and generally take three to four years to complete. Traineeships on the other hand, cover a broader range of occupations (generally in a non-trade related area) and typically take between one and two years to complete.

Traineeship and apprenticeship study modes

Both traineeships and apprenticeships may be studied full-time or part-time, depending on the agreement. The minimum part-time time commitment is 21 hours per week for an apprenticeship and 15 hours for a traineeship.

Benefits of traineeships and apprenticeships

With traineeships and apprenticeships, you learn relevant up-to-date, on-the-job skills while undergoing formal training with an accredited course provider. This allows you to combine real world practical skills with essential behind the scenes knowledge.

Traineeships and apprenticeships allow you to earn a nationally recognised qualification on completion of training. Earning a nationally recognised qualification will validate your skills and knowledge and prove your learning to all prospective future employers or clients.

Traineeships and apprenticeships allow you to get a genuine taste of what an industry has to offer, and not just a theoretical taste. As traineeships and apprenticeships require you to put in real, on the job hours, they allow you to decide sooner rather than later if the career is genuinely for you.

Usually, students have to pay to study, with traineeships and apprenticeships, you earn money while studying.

Is a traineeship or apprenticeship right for me?

You can start a traineeship at any time. Traineeships are great for school leavers looking to break into the workforce, for people wishing to upgrade their skills, change careers, or re-enter the workforce with an up-to-date skill set.

Recognition of Prior Learning

If you have existing skills, knowledge and experience gained at any stage in your life, through formal and/ or informal learning, including through work, study and volunteering, you may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). This may mean you can reduce the amount of formal training and therefore time required to complete traineeship or apprenticeship.

Useful links

• To read more about Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), click here.
• To read more about the Australian nationally recognised qualifications including those associated with traineeships and apprenticeships, click here.

References

• Government of Western Australia, Department of Education, “Apprenticeships and Traineeships“, retrieved 11/07/18
• Queensland Government, Department of Employment, Small Business and Training, “About apprenticeships and traineeships“, retrieved 11/07/18
• South Australian Government, Skills and Employment, “What is an apprenticeship or traineeship?“, retrieved 11/07/18
• Victoria State Government, Education and Training, “Apprenticeships and traineeships“, retrieved 11/07/18