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Becoming an Apprentice or Trainee

Earn while you learn and gain practical skills on the job as you train in your qualification through an apprenticeship or traineeship at CIT.

How to become an apprentice or trainee at CIT

STEP DETAILS
Step 1 Find your employer
Step 2 Contact and meet with an Apprentice Connect Australia Provider to select your qualification, select CIT as your RTO/training provider, and sign into your training contract
Step 3 Enrol in your qualification and start your training at CIT

1. Find your employer

Find an employer who’s willing to take you on as an apprentice, trainee, or School-based Apprentice in an industry you are interested in. If you are unsure where to start, contact an Apprentice Connect Australia Provider.

  • How do I find an employer?
    • You can start by looking through job ads in your area or contacting employers that you might like to work for. Also, ask around. Sometimes friends or family have their own business or know someone who’s looking to employ an apprentice or trainee in their business.

      CIT advertises some job vacancies on our looking for employment web page. If you are still at school, talk to your Career Advisor or VET/ASbA/SBAT Coordinator. There are also organisations that assist job hunters find a job, including Group Training Organisations (GTOs) who hire apprentices and trainees and match them with an employer.

      An Apprentice Connect Australia Provider can also help - see details below.

  • What is an Apprentice Connect Australia Provider and how do I contact them?
    • Apprentice Connect Australia Providers are contracted by the Australian Government to help apprentices and trainees and employers sign into an Australian Apprenticeship Training Contract. They offer free advice and support services regarding what is involved and the assistance they can provide throughout an Australian Apprenticeship from pre-commencement to completion.

      The Apprentice Connect Australia Provider can also give you advice around financial support that you may be eligible for to help with the costs of your apprenticeship. Details on their services and contact details are on our Apprentice Connect Australia Providers web page.

2. Contact and meet with an Apprentice Connect Australia Provider to select your qualification, select CIT as your RTO/training provider, and sign into your training contract

Once an employer has agreed to take you on, you and your employer should contact an Apprentice Connect Australia Provider to select the qualification to undertake your apprenticeship or traineeship in, and select a training provider called a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) e.g. CIT.

We highly recommend also contacting CIT to discuss your training needs when choosing a suitable qualification.

Once your qualification and training provider is selected the Apprentice Connect Australia Provider will arrange for you to sign an Australian Apprenticeship Training Contract (within 28 days of starting employment).

The Apprentice Connect Australia Provider then lodges the Training Contact with the State Training Authority (STA) for approval before a notification is sent to CIT which triggers the enrolment process.

3. Enrol in your qualification and start your training at CIT

Once the training contract is approved, you can enrol in your qualification course subjects. CIT will contact you to organise your enrolment, pre-commencement information and develop your training plan.

You will be asked to complete a Language, Literacy, Numeracy and Digital (LLND) assessment prior to commencing training.

Fees for your course will be due after your enrolment.

Once enrolled and given your class dates, you can start your training at CIT and work with your teachers and employer to learn, develop and use your new skills.

  • How do I enrol in the qualification at CIT?
    • Apprentices and trainees need to have an approved Australian Apprenticeship Training Contract before enrolling in a qualification at CIT. CIT will contact you to enrol in your subjects and you will either be invited to attend an information and enrolment session or directed to enrol into your subjects online.

      The enrolment process is not complete until your fees are paid. Find out more about enrolling.

      If you have any questions about the enrolment process, contact CIT Student Services on (02) 6207 3188 or infoline@cit.edu.au.

  • What is a Language, Literacy, Numeracy and Digital (LLND) Assessment?
    • Prior to commencing your training at CIT, you will be required to complete a Language, Literacy, Numeracy and Digital (LLND) assessment to help identify areas where you may require additional assistance to successfully undertake your training and achieve your qualification. Some CIT courses may also have a particular level you will need to meet as part of entry requirements into the course. CIT will contact you via email to complete the LLND assessment.

  • How much will my training at CIT cost?
    • The total cost of training in your qualification at CIT is advertised on the CIT website and varies for each course. The advertised qualification fee is for an apprentice or trainee that successfully completes all units of competency on the first attempt.

      The Government subsidises some apprenticeship and traineeship course fees for eligible qualifications identified by the Government as being an occupation with a skills shortage. Courses that are not subsidised are classified as full fee.

      An invoice for your fees will be emailed to you after enrolment. Your invoice will be itemised per subject and costs will vary depending on the number of subjects you enrol into. If your employer is paying your fees, make sure a copy of the invoice is forwarded to them for payment by the due date.

      If you are eligible for a fee concession your fees may be reduced by 50 per cent. You must have a concession applied every semester before classes start and before any invoice is paid. Find out more about our course fees and assistance.

      There may be some additional expenses not covered by student fees for resources specific to the subject you undertake e.g., tools and equipment, uniforms, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). You will be advised of these at enrolment.

  • What is a Training Plan?
    • A Training Plan is developed by CIT with the apprentice or trainee and employer and sets out how and when training and assessment will be conducted for you to achieve your qualification and enable you to track your progress.

      Example of an Australian Apprenticeships training plan

  • When will my classes start?
    • Most CIT teaching departments operate on semester-based training calendars with classes generally commencing in February and July each year. Each qualification is different, and the start date may vary for your classes. Your start date will be confirmed at enrolment.

  • How do I get the best out of my time as an apprentice or trainee at CIT?
    • - Attend classes, talk to your teachers and admin support staff if you are unsure about anything, have concerns about the workload or need help with your studies.

      - Get to know other apprentices and trainees studying in the same qualification.

      - Undertake training and assessment according to your training plan.

      - Maintain a training record of your workplace activities for your employer to verify.

      - Keep track of your progress.