Apprenticeships / Traineeships
What is the difference between a Traineeship and an Apprenticeship?
Traineeships can best be described as "mini" apprenticeships and are completed over a twelve-month period. Traineeships can be completed entirely in the workplace, which means that the employee no longer has to leave work to attend classroom instruction. Automotive traineeships cover most of the technical and sales areas in the industry.
Apprenticeships are the traditional trade training courses that have been used by industry for many years.
In the past, Automotive Apprenticeships have been completed over a four year period. With the introduction of Competency-Based Training, an apprentice becomes a tradesperson when all their training is completed. The emphasis is no longer on time served but on gaining all of the competencies required to be deemed a tradesperson.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships have been the traditional pathway for training when entering into the automotive repairs, sales and service industry. They usually involve up to four years of full time work and training and result in a “trade” certificate or qualification in trade areas such as a motor mechanic, motorcycle mechanic, diesel fitter, parts interpreter or auto electrician.
An apprenticeship is a highly structured training program of On-the-Job & Off-the job- training supplemented by related technical instruction to develop, maintain, and expand skills.
An employee and an employer sign a formal training agreement or training contract which is required to be registered with the state or territory training authority before it is legal. The training agreement, like any other legal document, is a binding document which outlines the employers and apprentice’s rights and obligations to provide and undertake training.
An apprentice is normally considered a beginner in the specified trade an will commence the apprenticeship performing less technical tasks in the first years progressively becoming more productive with time and experience and as technical training is completed.
An apprentice is expected to:
-
apply themselves to their on-the-job training and make every effort to learn the trade and attain the skills of a qualified tradesperson;
-
apply themselves to the off-the-job training, remembering that attendance is compulsory and satisfactory completion is a requirement for the issuing of a Trade Certificate; and
-
co-operate with the employer in order to achieve the desired training outcomes.
On successful completion of an apprenticeship a tradesperson will continue developing their experience and may consider:
-
setting up his/her own business
-
become a supervisor, foreman or controller
-
continue training in a Certificate 4 in the chosen trade.
Traineeships
A traineeship is a structured training and paid employment arrangement which involves a contract between the employer and the trainee. Traineeships vary in length from 12 months to three years.
A traineeship is normally completed before an apprenticeship for a number of industries such as the automotive repairs, sales and service industry. A traineeship results in a certificate or qualification in the selected traineeship such as Cert 2 in Automotive Mechanical Air Conditioning or Automotive Mechanical Tyre Fitting.
A traineeship is a structured training program of On-the-Job and Off-the job training supplemented by related technical instruction to develop, maintain, and expand skills.
An employee and an employer sign a formal training agreement or contract of training which is required to be registered with the state or territory training authority before it is legal. The training agreement, like any other legal document, is a binding document which outlines the employers and trainee’s rights and obligations to provide and undertake training.
A trainee is normally a beginner in the specified trade an will commence the traineeship performing less technical tasks at the start progressively becoming more productive with time and experienced and as technical training is conducted.
A trainee is expected to:
-
apply themselves to their on-the-job training and make every effort to learn the trade and attain the skills in the selected traineeship
-
apply themselves to the off-the-job training, remembering that attendance is compulsory and satisfactory completion is a requirement for the issuing of a Certificate; and
-
co-operate with the employer in order to achieve the desired training outcomes.
On successful completion of a traineeship you have the option to:
-
Commence training in an apprenticeship in the same stream
-
Continue working in the area chosen.
School based apprenticeships and traineeships
School-based apprenticeships and traineeships allow students - typically years 11 and 12 - to study for their Senior Certificate or equivalent, whilst at the same time undertaking government-approved and accredited training qualifications as paid employees.
Students not only receive their Senior Certificate or equivalent at the end of year 12, but they also train towards a qualification in their chosen career. This training may occur at work, school, or with a supervising registered training organisation such as MTA Training.
Employment and/or training arrangements developed for the participant must impact on the student's school timetable for the program to be considered school-based.
For a school-based arrangement to be created, students must have the support of their employer, their school, a supervising registered training organisation, and their parents, when negotiating the Education, Training and Employment Schedule. This schedule documents when the student is at work, school and training and must be negotiated at the same time the training contract is signed.
Students who do not complete their apprenticeship or traineeship while at school are required to convert to full-time or part-time arrangements when they finish their final day at school. Once converted to full-time or part-time arrangements, appropriate award wages and conditions apply.
Competency-based training
This type training places primary emphasis on what a person can do as a result of their training and experience. This means that the time required to complete a competency-based apprenticeship or traineeship is flexible. For time-based apprenticeships and traineeships, the training contract operates for a specified term.
Qualifications Available
Certificate I in Automotive
This is a basic entry level course aimed at providing a starting point for young people interested in entering the industry. It combines core competency units with industry specific competency units and will have particular application for high school students. It is not funded by the State Government, therefore a fee will apply.
Certificate II in Automotive
These courses are generally a twelve month duration and include a combination of core competency units with a number of industry specific competency units (sometimes up to 18) plus elective units. The training for these courses is funded by the State Government, however, certain restrictions apply.
Certificate III in Automotive
The traditional trade apprenticeships are a nominal four year duration. They include core competency units, as many as 36 industry specific competency units and additional elective units. In the majority of cases, training for apprenticeships is funded by the State Government.