Apprenticeships and traineeships

Apprenticeships and traineeships combine training with employment in hundreds of occupations ranging from traditional trades to business and industry. You might like to find out about:

• What is an apprenticeship or traineeship?
• What's the difference between an apprentice and a trainee?
• How do I apply for an apprenticeship or traineeship?
• What incentives and supports are available for apprentices and trainees?
• Who can I contact for more information?

What is an apprenticeship or traineeship?

An apprenticeship or traineeship is a training contract between an employer and an employee in which the apprentice or trainee learns the skills needed for a particular trade or occupation.

You can undertake an apprenticeship or traineeship on a full-time or part-time basis. As an apprentice or trainee, you:

• learn valuable, nationally-recognised job skills
• get paid while learning
• combine on-the-job training with formal training from a TAFE or training organisation.

What's the difference between an apprentice and a trainee?

An apprentice is trained in a skilled trade and upon successful completion becomes a qualified tradesperson. Trades such as electrical, plumbing, cabinet-making and automotive mechanics are just a few examples of the trades that are a part of the apprenticeship scheme.

A trainee is trained in a vocational area and upon completion receives a nationally-recognised certificate qualification. Examples of vocational areas include office administration, information technology and hospitality.

How do I apply for an apprenticeship or traineeship?

The Queensland and Australian Governments jointly administer apprenticeships and traineeships. Before we link you to their sites, here's a summary of what's involved in getting an apprenticeship or traineeship underway:

• Step 1: you decide on the type of apprenticeship or traineeship you would like to undertake
• Step 2: you find an employer who will give you a job and support your apprenticeship or traineeship
• Step 3: you and your employer work with your local Australian Apprenticeships Centre (Australian Government) to sign and lodge a training contract
• Step 4: with help from your local Australian Apprenticeships Centre, you and your employer choose a training organisation (TAFE or private registered training organisation) that will work with you throughout your apprenticeship or traineeship
• Step 5: after you have lodged your training contract with your local Australian Apprenticeships Centre (Step 3), you and your employer receive a letter from the Department of Education and Training (Queensland Government) which registers and monitors your apprenticeship or traineeship for the duration of the training contract and issues your qualification upon completion.

The Queensland Government's Apprenticeships Info website details the above steps and includes information about undertaking an apprenticeship or traineeship, including how to find an employer. The site also includes information about support available to people with a disability who wish to participate in an apprenticeship or traineeship. Visit the information for people with disability pages.

Australian Apprenticeships Centres

Australian Apprenticeships Centres work with you and your employer to get your apprenticeship or traineeship underway and to advise you of Australian Government-funded incentives and supports available to apprentices or trainees.

To find your local Australian Apprenticeships Centre, type your postcode into the Australian Apprenticeships Centre search or call the Australian Apprenticeships referral line on 13 38 73.

What incentives and supports are available for apprentices and trainees?

The Australian Government funds incentives and supports that may be available to you when undertaking an apprenticeship or traineeship. For details, visit the Australian Government's Australian Apprenticeships website.

The Australian Government's JobAccess service helps people with disability look for work. It has information about Australian apprenticeships and traineeships and includes examples of people with disability in the workplace. Visit JobAccess or contact a JobAccess adviser for confidential advice on 1800 464 800 or through their online enquiry form.

More information

The Department of Education and Training has information about apprenticeships, training, developing your skills and getting started at TAFE. Just contact:

• Apprenticeships info on 1800 210 210 or email apprenticeshipsinfo@qld.gov.au
• TAFE Queensland on 1300 308 233, or you can submit a query online
• Skilling Solutions Queensland on 1300 654 687 or email skillingsolutions@deta.qld.gov.au.

You can also call through the National Relay Service: TTY call 133 677, speak and listen call 1300 555 727 and internet relay users connect to the National Relay Service website, then give the number required.