Training is essential for workers to acquire the skills needed to grow in their careers. Comprehensive government-approved Training Packages outline learning requirements, assessment processes, and qualifications available to all SDA members. Employers may be eligible for government subsidies when they employ workers in such training programs.
Everyone should have the opportunity to develop their potential. Education and training are crucial for securing well-paid jobs and advancing in employment. Access to education, training, career advice, financial assistance, and employment placement services is vital for helping individuals establish or re-establish themselves in the workforce. Quality outcomes that meet the needs of both learners and employers are critical, especially for trainees and apprentices.
Apprenticeships and traineeships involve a training contract between an employer and an employee, where the employer provides training, and the apprentice/trainee learns a trade or occupation. These can be undertaken on a full-time or part-time basis, depending on industrial relations arrangements.
Generally, anyone over the age of 15 can become an apprentice or trainee. However, in some jurisdictions, specific conditions apply for those under 15.
Training can be conducted entirely on the job or through a combination of on-the-job and off-the-job programs. The training is based on national competency standards as set out in the relevant National Training Package.
Regulations for apprenticeships and traineeships vary across State and Territory jurisdictions. In some regions, like Western Australia, the same regulations may apply to both. In others, different rules may govern each.
In some jurisdictions, both the employer and apprentice must agree to cancel, vary, or suspend an apprenticeship. If they cannot agree, the State Training Authority (STA) may intervene. For traineeships, in some areas, one party alone can initiate cancellation or variation. Dispute resolution processes also differ, with apprentices having more avenues for recourse in cases of unfair dismissal in certain regions.
A training contract is mandatory for all apprenticeships and traineeships. This contract outlines the training conditions and specifies who will provide the training. Both the employer and the apprentice/trainee must sign the contract, and if the apprentice/trainee is under 18, a parent or guardian must also sign.
Apprentices and trainees are usually paid according to the relevant award or agreement. Employers are responsible for informing them of their employment conditions, including whether the position is full-time or part-time.
Employers must ensure that a qualified person supervises the apprentice/trainee and that the work environment is safe and non-discriminatory. They must also enrol the apprentice/trainee with a registered training organization within the first few months of employment.
Regulations governing apprenticeships and traineeships can differ significantly across States and Territories. It’s advisable to consult the specific State or Territory Training Authority for detailed guidance and requirements.
- ACT: Skills ACT
- NSW: Skills NSW
- VIC: Victorian Skills Gateway
- WA: Apprenticeship Office WA
- SA: Skills SA
- NT: Workforce NT
- TAS: Skills Tasmania
- QLD: Queensland Skills Gateway
