Become an apprentice or trainee
What are apprenticeships?
Apprenticeships combine time at work with training and can be full-time, part-time or school-based.
If you’re a CIT apprentice or trainee you will receive high quality training from teachers who have extensive industry experience.
Apprenticeships are generally three or four years in duration and traineeships generally are one to three years. Once you’ve completed your apprenticeship or traineeship CIT will issue you with a nationally recognised qualification.
What areas do CIT train apprentices and trainees in?
Australian Apprenticeships (this includes traineeships) are available in many more industries than ever before. CIT can manage the off-the-job training in all of the following areas:
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For specific course information on these areas see our Courses.
Six easy steps to becoming a CIT apprentice or trainee
Step 1: Find a business that is willing to take you on as an apprentice or trainee. You can find businesses through a Group Training Company, Job Services Australia, other job sites on the internet, by looking for ads in the newspaper, through friends, family or your school.
If you’re still at school you can also consider an Australian School Based Apprenticeship, where you start your apprenticeship while at school. And don’t forget apprenticeships and traineeships are available for existing workers and workers of all ages – you don’t have to be straight out of school.
Step 2: Start work with your employer.
Step 3: Choose an Australian Apprenticeships Centre (AAC). If your employer has had apprentices before they will be able to help you choose which AAC to go with. Your AAC will help you fill out a training contract and choose the right qualification.
Step 4: Meet with your AAC and your employer to discuss your training options, including which qualification you will need to complete.
Step 5: Meet with CIT to work out a training plan for the off-the-job component of your training. Most apprentices attended off the job training on one day per week throughout their apprenticeship. CIT will help you through this process to make it easy for you.
Step 6: Congratulations! You're now an apprentice or trainee! Once you have met all the requirements both in your workplace and at CIT, you will complete your qualification.
Further details on how to become an apprentice or trainee in the ACT are available on the ACT Department of Education and Training website or contact CIT's Australian Apprenticeship Unit on (02) 6207 7823.
Am I eligible to become an ACT apprentice or trainee?
To be eligible you must:
- be in paid work in the ACT;
- be at least 15 years old;
- undertake an approved Australian Apprenticeships qualification with an approved Registered Training Organisation;
- be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or New Zealand passport holder resident for more than 6 months;
- be able to undertake a minimum of 15 hours combined work and training per week (Australian School based Apprentices must undertake a minimum of 11 hours and maximum of 20 hours);
- not be a casual employee or self-employed (sub-contractor).
How much will my apprenticeship cost?
Apprenticeships and traineeships are generally divided into three stages, and each stage has different costs which reflect the different and more complex skills you will learn and equipment and materials you will use. For more information see CIT Fees.
All apprenticeships are competency based, which means there is no set time allocated for you to move through the stages and all apprentices and trainees will progress at different speeds.
You may also be required to purchase other things such as a uniform, tools or equipment to use on the job.
I’m still at school. Do I have to leave school to start an apprenticeship?
No. CIT also offers Australian School-Based Apprenticeships (ASBA) in a number of areas. Have a look at our ASBA page for more info.
Apprenticeship videos
These videos show other people's experiences with apprenticeships and traineeships.