apprentice [n.]

1. a person learning a skilled practical trade from an employer 2. employ as an apprentice [v.]. DERIVATIVES apprenticeship [n.].
- ORIGIN Old French aprentis, from Latin apprehendere ‘apprehend’.

Oxford Dictionaries

Apprenticeships in Australia are available in most vocational fields. They entail a period of training involving both practical work and studies and lead to qualifications allowing them to register/be employed in a particular trade. There are different forms of apprenticeship from school based to full time, with traineeships also possible, though these are regarded more as leading to an occupational outcome rather than a trade

Most states & territories have support bodies to assist in ensuring all information about apprenticeships and traineeships is readily available for students, families and employers. Commonwealth assistance is also available in this area.

Further information may also be found on the Careers Education and Vocational Education pages.

This page looks at Apprenticeships, programs, procedures, groups and other information for all Australian states & Territories. Information also includes Commonwealth involvement, research, search engines and other, general information.

If you are aware of any worthwhile information which is not included, suggestions or additions are welcome and will be given due consideration.

States & Territories

Australian Capital Territory

• ACT - Apprentices and Adult Learners
  Apprenticeships, VET in schools and Community Education.
• Australian School Based Apprenticeships Program
  Involves part-time traineeships for senior secondary.
• Youth InterACT
  Information, games, publications, Have Your Say, InfoLine and more.
• Regional Group Training
  ‘Promoting and developing an educated, skilled and flexible workforce for our target industries in the ACT and surrounding regions’.
• Student to Industry Program
  Programs, Adopt a School. find jobs, ASBAs, resources, links. Resources for all groups.

New South Wales

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
  ‘Are your looking for an apprenticeship, traineeship or other vocational training ? The NSW State Training Services has a range of services and programs to help you’.
• Apprenticeships & Traineeships, DET
• Australian Business Limited Apprenticeships Centre
  ‘Experienced provider of Australian Apprenticeship services in NSW’. Success stories, FAQs, links, value of apprenticeships, and I want to be an apprentice sections’.
• Financial Help
  Details of this.
• Group Training Association of NSW
  ‘A Group training organisation - a one stop shop for all your apprenticeship and traineeship needs’.
• Guide to Apprenticeships and Traineeships in New South Wales
  Department of Education & Training.
• Jump Start
  ‘If you’re looking for a new path, love a challenge, and want a career that offers great variety over the long term, applying for a cadetship with us is a great way to give your career a JumpSTART’. From the NSW Government.
• Leaving School
  Department of Education & Training. Options available.
• STE 1300apprentice
  ‘Within this site you will find information about our company, how to prepare for a job interview and details to assist you in selecting a career as an apprentice or trainee. STE 1300apprentice [also] offers a range of career options for you to consider’. Sydney based group.
• Trades Schools, School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships in NSW
  Information for student/parent, employers, RTOs, more. You can also access this Questions and Answers about School-based Apprenticeships and Traineeships document.
• TAFE NSW
  Applying & Enrolling - Apprenticeships & Traineeships.
• Young People at Work
  Getting started, Know Your Rights, Leaving a Job.

Northern Territory

• Apprenticeships & Traineeships, DEET
  Use menus for specific areas.
• Australian Apprenticeships NT
  ‘Your one stop shop for information on Australian Apprenticeships in the Northern Territory’.
• Chamber of Commerce and Industry
  Select Employment & Education then Apprenticeships & Traineeships.
• Group Training NT
  ‘Where you find the best apprentices and trainees’.
• HSTAC - Apprenticeships
  Training Advisory Council.
• NT Apprenticeships and Traineeships Database
  ‘Use the form to search the database for apprenticeships and traineeships in the Northern Territory’. Search tips.
• Training and Beyond School
  Includes Higher Education, Apprenticeships, Indigenous Training, scholarships and more.
• School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships Policy

Queensland

• Apprenticeships Info
  Apprentices & Trainees, School-based Apprenticeships and Traineeships, business information, Information Sheets & Forms. Contact details.
• Apprenticeships Queensland Ltd
  Based in Ipswich.
• Queensland Apprenticeship Services
• Queensland Training Information
  ‘Search or browse for information on apprenticeships and traineeships approved by the Training and Employment Recognition Council for delivery in Queensland. Including, preferred supplier scorecards, details on supporting courses and qualifications, restricted callings and preferred suppliers’.
• School-based Apprenticeships and Traineeships
  ‘School-based apprenticeships and traineeships [SATs] allow high school students to work for an employer, train towards a recognised qualification, and complete their secondary school studies’.
• Skilling Solutions Queensland
  A ‘State Government initiative to help you get the qualifications you need to succeed in today’s competitive job market’. Includes Becoming an Apprentice.
• SkillsTech Australia
  Queensland government. Apprenticeship and Traineeship information.
• Trade Apprentices
  Covers assistance for employers seeking apprentices, apprentices seeking positions and apprentices whose apprenticeships have been cancelled for some reason.
• Training
  Department of Education & Training. Includes apprenticeship information.

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South Australia

• Aboriginal Apprenticeship Program
  Contact details, links for specific areas.
• Australian School Based Apprenticeships [SA]
  Information, PDF documents, requirements.
• Learning, Make It Work For You
  Information linked to the change in the school leaving age and options available.
• SA Central - Traineeships - Apprenticeships
• School-based Apprenticeships - Traineeships
• TAFE SA - Apprenticeships and Traineeships
• Trade Schools for The Future
  ‘Student/School Based Apprentices’.
• Training SA
  Information for students & the community, businesses, employers & employees, training organisations.

Tasmania

• For Learners, Apprenticeships & Traineeships
  Includes the Guide and Fully Competency Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships. Other TTAC Policies from the Tasmanian Training Agreement Committee are found here.
  You now need to be able to log in to access this last link.
• Resources to Support Career, Work and Enterprise Education
  You can also access a list of References and Websites here.
• Support for Apprentices/Trainees
  Everything from Accommodation to Training Consultants.
• Skills Tasmania Facts
  ‘For all the latest news and events’. Free subscription.
• Tasmanian Polytechnic
  Find what you can do there.

Victoria

• Apprenticeships Group Australia
  ‘Business name which unites two of Australia’s most experienced group training organisations, Gippsland Group Training and Apprenticeships Victoria’.
• Apprentices, Trainees and TAFE Students
  Links to information from the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.
• Apprenticeships Melbourne
  ‘Contracted by the Australian Government to deliver Australian Apprenticeship Support Services to employers, Australian Apprentices, training providers, schools, and the wider community’.
• Australian Apprenticeships [VECCI]
  Employment, Education & Training.
• Career Development and Employment
  Apprenticeships & Traineeships for young Victorians. Part of RMIT.
• Skills Victoria
  Home page for all areas, one of which is Get an Apprenticeship or Traineeship. ‘Information, links and tips about how to get started as an apprentice or trainee’.
  Well presented !
• Support for Current Australian Apprentices
  From VECCI.
• Training Support Network
  Provides information about government requirements, tools, resources, curriculum documents, teacher networks, news, other links, FAQs and more.
• Youth Transitions
  Looks at a range of options including Apprenticeships.

Western Australia

• Aboriginal School Based Training
  ‘Will help you start an apprenticeship or traineeship in school so you can get a great job afterwards’. Get a PDF Brochure from the site.
• Apprenticeship and Traineeship Policy Guidelines
  Also access Fact Sheets and Forms.
• ApprentiCentre
  News, Job Board, videos, sections for various groups, contact details, Guide and list for both apprenticeships and traineeships in PDF format.
• The Department of Training and Workforce Development
• Regional Training Services
  South/West WA. Use the menu on the left to access material.

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Australian Information

Government and quasi-government groups.

• Adult Apprentices
  ‘Australian Apprenticeships can provide a pathway to a career change for people looking to re-enter the workforce and for people who are currently working. Australian Apprenticeships combine work with training in a nationally recognised qualification. Australian Apprenticeships are available in over 60 industries’
• Apprentice Kickstart
  Extended till 12 November 2010.
• Australian Apprenticeships
  Information for everything related to Australian Apprenticeships. The site for essential information. The Australian Apprenticeships Access Programme is linked to this.
• Australian Apprenticeships and Traineeships Information
  ‘This website provides information and resources for Australian Apprenticeships Centres, Registered Training Organisations, Group Training Organisations, Job Services Australia providers and other service providers and stakeholders’.
• Australian Apprenticeships Centre Search
  ‘Enter your postcode for a list of Australian Apprenticeships Centres in your region’.
• Australian Apprenticeship Pathways
  Search, self help, information, links, careers advisers. One good section of this site gives access to listing of Commonwealth, State and Territory Australian Apprenticeships Initiatives, while another can be found on the Career Resources and Careers Advisers can find further information here..
• Australian Apprenticeships, Minister’s Awards
• Australian Apprenticeships Training Information Service
  ‘An industry site providing resources for AACs, RTOs, GTOs and other organisations marketing and implementing Australian Apprenticeships’. Links to other sites including several on this page.
• Australian JobSearch
  Find an Australian Apprenticeship Centre nearest to you, access Apprenticeship vacancies across the country by post code and occupation.
• Australian National Training Authority
  Listing of accredited Quality Assurance Consultants.
• Australian Recognised Trade Certificate [ARTC]
  ‘The Australian Recognised Trade Certificate is for Australian residents with trade skills in an electrical or metal trade who have gained these skills outside an Australian apprenticeship and seek to have the skills recognised in Australia’.
• Australian School-based Apprenticeships
  A listing of sites for school-based apprentice information covering all states and territories.
• Business Entry Point - Hiring Apprentices & Trainees
  Information for clientele.

Centrelink

• Australian Apprenticeships
  Centrelink’s Home Page for this area.
• Australian Apprenticeships Access Program
  Information about Centrelink’s role in this area.
• Australian Apprenticeship Centres
  Information regarding referrals to these.

• Incentives
  ‘The Australian Government has introduced a number of initiatives to assist employers who take on an Australian Apprentice, particularly where the Australian Apprenticeship is in a trade experiencing a skills shortage. These initiatives provide financial incentives to eligible employers through the Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program’.
• Indigenous Australian Apprenticeships Kit
  ‘An informative and practical guide to building your organisation’s capacity to service Indigenous clients. It has been developed through extensive consultations with experienced workers in the field. The website allows you to access the contents of the resource in two ways’.
• Licence Recognition
  ‘Arrangements have been put in place making it easier for licensed tradespeople, and authorities that issue licences, to know what licence a worker is entitled to when applying for a licence in another jurisdiction. The arrangements cover licences issued to’ a range of occupations. This could be valuable knowledge toward the end of an apprenticeship in these areas.
• SkillsInfo
  ‘Designed to provide skills-related information for industries and regions, as well on education and training and skills issues. The website is built around five themes : Education and Training, Industries, Regions, Skills Issues and Skills Links’. Look for apprenticeships in the Education and Training section.
• The Apprenticeships for the 21^st Century Expert Panel
  ‘The Expert Panel was appoint ed by the Australian Government in July 2010, to provide advice on reform options for the Australian Apprenticeships system’. Find details, download documents including the Report, brochures and more.
• Tools For Your Trade
  ‘The initiative will help to alleviate the financial burden on eligible Australian Apprentices, in the first year of their Australian Apprenticeship, by providing tool kits’.
• Trade Training Centres in Schools Program
  ‘Trade Training Centres are being established to help increase the proportion of students achieving Year 12 or an equivalent qualification and help address skill shortages in traditional trades and emerging industries’.
• What are Australian Apprenticeship ?
  By the people who developed the Good Guides. Provides common sense and factual information about Australian Apprenticeships.
• Workforce Innovation Program
  ‘The program provides funding for innovative, one-off projects that address workforce skill needs’. Download the Guidelines here. Also available in RTF format.
• WorkPlace Portal
  ‘Provides online services, employment information, government assistance, jobs, careers, training and working conditions’. Included on this site can be found Labour Market Analysis data.

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Other Information

Apprenticeships for Specific Needs & Industries

Links to specific industries or work areas. Some state/territory level, others national. Also apprenticeships for those with disabilities.

• ADF Recruitment
  Trades Training Page for Defence Force Recruiting. Information, contacts and basic detail about training, salary, initial length of service and then indicates a range of other details. Links to other sections related to recruiting.
• BIGA Apprentices
  ‘BIGA Employment and Training is the leader in developing and placing building and construction apprentices in small to large organisations across Queensland’.
• Defence Force Recruiting
• Field - Australian Apprenticeships
  Geared to those who suffer from disability. Information, links to other sites.
• Tourism Training Australia - New Apprenticeships

Other Sites

• Australian Council for Private Education and Training
  ‘The national industry association for independent providers of post-compulsory education and training, for Australian and international students, including Vocational Education and Training’.
• Australian Apprenticeships Training Information Service
  ‘An industry site providing resources for AACs, RTOs, GTOs and other organisations marketing and implementing Australian Apprenticeships’. Pathway Charts, government initiatives, industry information, What‘s New, FAQs.
• Group Training Australia
  Download podcasts, find career information, find an apprenticeship or traineeship, information for employers, find a local training group and more.
• MAS National
  ‘We guide you through every aspect of the Australian Apprenticeships program, providing fast, accurate and efficient service that you can rely on. Find out more about how MAS National can help you’.
• MEGT
  ‘We can help employers upskill their existing staff, employ new staff and invest in their business’ future through employing apprentices and trainees. We can help job seekers make themselves more employable, gain additional skills, find a job’.
• My Gateway
  ‘MG is a “one stop shop” for apprenticeship and traineeship services for both job seekers and employers’.
• SkillupAustralia
  ‘Free, Prompt & Reliable advice and Support with New Apprenticeships and Traineeships’.
• What are Apprenticeships & Traineeships ?
  Check this link from the VCAA, which has a range of information. A similar site can be found at School-based Apprenticeship or Traineeship
• Worldskills Australia
  A group that operates ‘skill competitions in over 52 trade and skill areas. Competitions held in bricklaying, garment production, commercial cookery, heavy vehicle mechanics, electrical installation, IT support and more’. Involvement details.

Research & Reviews

• ACTU
  Review of the Commonwealth New Apprenticeships Incentive Program. Review by the peak Australian Union body of incentive schemes for implementing the New Apprenticeship Scheme.
• NCVER Research
  Priorities, research programs, projects, Statistical Information.
• VOCED Research
  ‘Is the UNESCO/NCVER research database for technical and vocational education and training, an international database of research abstracts, in English’. Advice on how to gain the full-text version, a Thesaurus, Journal’s List and further links. Based in South Australia.

Search Engines

• ApprentiCentre WA - Jobs Board
  ‘Employers can advertise for an apprentice/trainee on Jobs Board and those looking for an apprenticeship or traineeship can register with Jobs Board to be advised by email or SMS alerts of vacancie’.
• Australian JobSearch
  Advanced search allows you to specify Apprenticeships/Traineeships.
• Careerjet
  Provides a listing of selected, available apprenticeships.
• Apprenticeships & Traineeships Jobs
  Annotated listings from around Australia.

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