Much has been written about Traineeships and Apprenticeships, so here we try and condense a million pages down to just two. It's a great place to start your research.

 “Combine time at work with training. This can be full-time, part-time or school-based to give you a nationally recognised qualification and the experience you need to get the job you want. “ (Ian Palmer)

• Apprenticeships cover the traditional trades while Traineeships came along recently to cover the newer occupations.
• Certificate I , II, III or IV – higher numbers are higher skill levels
• Combine practical hands-on experience with structured training – on or off the job
• Gain a qualification while you also Earn $
• Traineeships generally 1 - 2 years, apprenticeships 3 - 4 years
• Part-time possible, but not common
• School based is possible, but it can be hard to find a host employer.

Credits off your apprenticeship time for VET at school or previous work in industry are possible

Over 500 occupations with a range of qualifications in each:

·          Automotive

·          Business and Finance

·          Horticulture/Agriculture

·          Information Technology

·          Metal and Engineering

·          Property Services

·          Retail

·          Transport and Distribution

Risks to Non-completion

Lured to quick $ of dead end casual job with limited future. Think to the longer term.

Hairdressers, Cooks and Retail Trainees have high drop out rates. Be realistic about hours and industry conditions.

School troubles carried to workforce and soon resurface. If you have problems now, solve them now, so you can show a work employer that you are work ready.

First few months (Probation Period). Put in the extra effort, and it will get easier in time.

My Dad’s mate is going to take me on… but around 50% don’t work out. Have a back up plan.

Group Training Organisations (GTOs)

• Are the largest employers of trainees and apprentices
• GTOs employ you, pay your wages and hire you out to Host Employers to recover the costs.
• GTOs can rotate you from Host to Host to suit work loads and training requirements.

Training Wages

More secure job and more regular hours than casual jobs, often means better pay overall

Paid 4 weeks annual leave, Paid Sick Leave, Paid Public Holidays

Student travel / movie concessions

Skill Shortage Trades:

·          Metal Fitter

·          Metal Machinist

·          Toolmaker

·          Metal Fabricator

·          Hairdresser

·          Cabinetmaker

·          Pastry cook

·          Welder

·          Cook

·          Motor Mechanic

·          Auto Electrician

·          Panel Beater

·          Vehicle Painter Electrician

·          Refrigeration and Air Conditioning

·          Carpenter and Joiner

·          Fibrous Plasterer

·          Bricklayer

·          Solid Plasterer

·          Plumber

·          Chef

·          Furniture Upholsterer

·          Sheet metal Worker

•  More Money and better job prospects in skill shortage areas
•  Most employers prefer Yr 12 and VET Graduates, but some still like Yr10.

Skills Shortage Incentives for you:

  tax free payments

$100 NSW Car registration rebate

Where do you find them…?

Annually there are approximately 2000 trainees and apprentices commenced in Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury and Penrith regions. But competition can still be fierce for the best positions and an awful lot are not "Advertised". A couple of days door knocking could be just the trick you need.

• Job Network Agencies
• Group Training Organisations
• Internet and Newspapers
• Door knock the employers of interest
• Ask friends/family to keep lookout
• Work experience and Work Placement, as a report or reference can be GOLD.
• Pre-apprenticeship courses

Pre-apprenticeship Courses are great, but can be hard to get into.

(Talk to the TAFE Counsellor to obtain FREE advice. They’re great!)

 World’s Best Advice

‘The Early Bird Catches The Worm’ –you can line up a job to start in the New Year!

If at first you don’t succeed, get smarter!  Go back to school, TAFE or an accredited college

 If you go to a course after school while you are still looking for a trainee or apprenticeship double check you have not signed up for a Cert III FULL course that could make you ineligible to do the same subject again through a traineeship or apprenticeship. Governments don’t pay twice for the same training.

Talk to your Career Adviser, or a TAFE Counsellor to check your personal circumstances.

Reminders

Nepean Careers Market  (through your school).

Apprenticeship Expo  annually in September . Parents welcome. Bring your resume. For further information contact Wendy Wilkins 4725 0319.

Links

New Apprenticeships - www.newapprenticeships.gov.au/

Job Search – www.jobsearch.gov.au/

Job Juice - www.jobjuice.gov.au/default.htm

My Future - www.myfuture.edu.au/