Apprenticeships and Traineeships
This information is for employers thinking about employing an apprentice. Information for individuals interested in becoming an apprentice is on a separate page.
Overview
‘Australian apprenticeship’ is the term used to describe any apprentice or trainee employed under an Australian training contract. Apprenticeships have been designed to be flexible, while still providing nationally-recognised quality training developed by industry for industry.
Apprenticeships combine time at work with training and can be full time, part time or school based.
What areas do CIT train apprentices and trainees in?
CIT is well recognised for apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, traineeships and Australian School Based Apprenticeships across a wide range of areas, including:
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For specific course information on these areas see our Career Explorer.
Why should I employ an apprentice?
- Australian apprenticeships are a way for you to train staff specifically for your business requirements;
- They are offered in a range of industries and at all certificate levels up to Advanced Diploma;
- Apprenticeships mean you let CIT worry about the off-the-job training. You can negotiate around the timing, location and nature of this training to suit your business needs;
- When you employ an apprentice the Australian Government provides a range of financial incentives for eligible employers;
- An apprentice can work in your business full time, part time or even come while still at school, depending on your business needs;
How do I employ an apprentice?
Step one: Find an apprentice. You can find an apprentice by:
- Getting in touch with CIT. Some students undertake pre-vocational programs in trade areas so already have some skills and have shown their commitment and enthusiasm.
- Taking on someone who already works for your organisation. Apprenticeships and traineeships are available for existing workers and workers of all ages, and a mature aged apprentice will bring a unique skill set to your business.
- Contacting your local Group Training Company;
- Contacting a Job Services Australia provider;
- Employing someone you know or who has been recommended;
- Advertising in a newspaper or on noticeboards;
- Advertising on the Indigenous Employment Service website;
Step two: Select an Australian Apprenticeships Centre that will help you complete a training contract, including giving advice on choosing the right qualification for your apprentice to complete.
Step three: Work with CIT to put together a training plan for your apprentice. CIT trains over 2700 apprentices each year and has enormous experience in working with employers.
Step four: Start training your apprentice! Your apprentice will come into your workplace and learn your business and the skills required to work in it. CIT will support this with practical and theoretical training off the job to ensure your apprentice has the right skills for your business.
What does it cost to employ an apprentice?
Apprentices are usually paid a training wage or an apprentice wage under an award or enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA). The exact rate of pay varies according to the number of years of school completed, number of years of training, the type of apprenticeship and the industry or occupation.
To offset these costs there are a number of incentives provided by the Australian Government to encourage employers to take on and retain Australian Apprentices.
Incentives include a standard $4000 payment to employers (delivered partially at the beginning and partially at the end of the training period), as well as extra incentives for employers ranging from $750 to $1800 for being in a rural or drought affected area, for employing a mature aged apprentice, an apprentice still at school, or an apprentice with a disability, for recommencing an apprentice who had previously withdrawn from training and for several other reasons.
A full list of incentives for both employer and apprentice are available on the Australian Apprenticeships website.
Questions to ask yourself before you hire an apprentice:
Before hiring an apprentice employers should consider:
- Finances – is there enough work to sustain an apprentice for the duration of the apprenticeship?
- Time – can the business handle the commitment of training an apprentice and provide adequate supervision?
- Resources – is the business adequately resourced to provide an apprentice with an environment they can learn in?
If you’re unsure, the National Code of Good Practice for Australian Apprenticeships explains in plain English what is involved in entering a training contract.
An Australian Apprenticeship Centre can also help you determine whether your business is ready to take on an apprentice.
Pre-vocational programs
CIT offers intensive pre-vocational programs in plumbing and construction which are accredited and equivalent to the first six months of a standard apprenticeship. There is no employer during this period – the courses are design to teach valuable practical skills to future apprentices and on completion, participants can begin their standard apprenticeship with skills that make them valuable to their employer from their first day.
If you would like to know more about securing one of these apprentices for your own business please contact CIT.
What can I expect if my apprentice engages CIT as their Registered Training Provider?
CIT makes the commitment that we will provide:
- A partnership to build your sustainable workforce;
- A training plan that meets the needs of the employer, apprentice and the rules of the qualification;
- Ongoing support to assist the apprentice to complete their qualification;
- Up to date, relevant training with industry standard equipment;
- Contemporary approaches to learning and skills development, including practical skills and use of technology and flexible learning;
- Teachers with industry experience and knowledge;
- Engagement and connection with your workplace through workplace visits, assessments and projects to maximise the apprentice’s chances of success;
- Prompt responses to the changing needs of the employer and apprentice;
- Recognition of the apprentice’s existing skills and knowledge resulting in reduced time at the RTO;
- Careful monitoring of the apprentice’s progress and reliable and ongoing communication with the employer.
What is group training?
Some smaller businesses don't have enough work for an ongoing or full time apprentice. Group training is a great alternative where a group training organisation organises for you to share an apprentice with another business.
Where a group training provider is involved it is they, not the employee, that is responsible for:
- Managing the training;
- All paperwork connected with wages, allowances, superannuation, workers compensation, sick/holiday pay and other employment benefits;
- Rotating the apprentice from business to business, where necessary, to ensure that each apprentice receives broad training and experience.
If you would more information about group training arrangements in your area visit the Group Training Australia website.
E-learning supports employers and apprentices
A look at how e-learning is being used for and by Certificate II and Certificate III in Engineering Fabrication Trades students, including the interactive white board (IWB), point of view (POV) glasses and CIT's online learning environment eLearn.