No matter what industry you are in, investing in training through an Australian Apprenticeship can provide your business with real benefits and contribute to your bottom line.
No two businesses are the same, and that is why Australian Apprenticeships have been designed to be flexible, while at the same time providing nationally recognised quality training developed by industry for industry.
Australian Apprenticeships covers all apprenticeships and traineeships. They combine time at work with training and can be full-time, part-time or school-based.
There is likely to be an Australian Apprenticeship to suit your business needs, as they are available in a variety of qualification levels in more than 500 occupations across Australia, in traditional trades, as well as a diverse range of emerging careers in most sectors of business and industry.
Australian Apprenticeships provide a range of benefits for your business.
You make all the hiring decisions with an Australian Apprenticeship. Group Training Organisations can organise for you to share an Australian Apprentice with another business if you don't have enough work for an ongoing or full-time position. You can also engage an Australian Apprentice part-time while he or she is still at school through an Australian School-based Apprenticeship.
There are many ways to employ an Australian Apprentice including through an Australian Workplace Agreement or Certified Agreement (or State equivalent). Contact your local "Australian Apprenticeships Centre" for more information about hiring an Australian Apprentice.
There are a number of ways to find an Australian Apprentice:
You can also:
If you are interested in employing an Australian Apprentice, you should read the National Code of Good Practice for Australian Apprenticeships which is available on our publications page. It explains in plain English what is involved in entering into a Training Contract.
Below is a step by step guide to employing an Australian Apprenticeship.
Wages for Australian Apprentices vary according to certain characteristics e.g. years of school completed, years of training, the type of Australian Apprenticeship and the industry or occupation.
An Australian Apprentice is usually paid a training wage or an apprentice wage under an award, reflecting that the employee spends time in training. You will generally treat the Australian Apprentice in the same way as all your other employees in relation to superannuation, workers' compensation and other entitlements or requirements.
You can, for example, vary the mix of training and working time (providing certain conditions are met), employ an Australian Apprentice on a part time basis, and specify other terms and conditions which are appropriate to the needs of your business. More information on apprentice workplace rights and conditions can be found on the Fair Work Ombudsman website or by calling the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94. The Fair Work Ombudsman is the central point of contact for free advice and information on the national workplace relations system. The Fair Work Ombudsman also investigates workplace complaints and enforces compliance with Australia’s workplace laws.
To find out more about which option is best for your business, you can contact:
An Australian Apprenticeships Centre in your region may be able to assist you in finding additional information.
Group Training is a great alternative for small and medium sized businesses which:
Group Training is an arrangement where a Group Training Company employs Australian Apprentices and hires them to other businesses, called host employers, while they are undertaking their training. The Group Training Company acts as the primary employer and:
Group Training provides a cost-efficient and administratively simple way for small to medium sized businesses to hire Australian Apprentices when this might otherwise not be possible. It also creates quality employment and training opportunities for young people and provides a breadth of experience gained in a number of different enterprises.
Group Training Organisations operate across Australia. Some specialise in servicing a particular industry, while others may cater for an entire region, covering many industries.
If you would like to know more about group training arrangements in your area:
Are you an employment and/or training service provider? Are you trying to enhance your ability to achieve successful Australian Apprenticeship outcomes for Indigenous Australians? Are you a staff member of an organisation working to improve training and employment opportunities for Indigenous Australians?
The Making Indigenous Australian Apprenticeships your business resource kit and complementary summary document have been designed to provide a range of practical resources to assist Indigenous employment and training service providers in improving access of Indigenous people to Australian Apprenticeships. It may be useful for service providers who support Indigenous Australians in other employment and training situations.
An innovative new national apprenticeship program is assisting up to 1000 experienced workers by having their existing skills recognised and then complete all the competencies required to obtain a full trade qualification within 18 months. Information on the National Apprenticeship Program (NAP) can be obtained by visiting the National Apprenticeships Program website.