Looking for an Apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships mean flexible training, experience, a national recognised qualification, earning a training wage and other benefits while you are learning. The qualification gained from an apprenticeship may count towards further education qualifications such as a diploma or degree later in your career.

Apprenticeships are flexible. Training can be on-the-job, off-the-job, or a combination of both.Off-the-job training is provided by TAFE colleges, business colleges and private training organisations.

A range of personal benefits is also available to Australian Apprentices, including:

• Living Away from Home Allowance: paid to those apprentices who have needed to relocate away from the family home to take up an Australian Apprenticeship.
• Commonwealth Trade Learning Scholarship: now payable to apprentices undertaking an Australian Apprenticeship within a skill shortage qualification.
• Tools Kits: provided through the new 'Tools For Your Trade' initiative for apprentices commencing an apprenticeship in a skills shortage trade qualification.
• Youth Allowance / Austudy / Abstudy: these Centrelink payments may also be available to eligible apprentices and trainees.

If you are an apprentice with a disability, further assistance is available to employers and apprentices through the Disabled Australian Apprentice Wage Support program. Additional support may be available for areas such as Tutorial and Interpreter assistance.

Pre-apprenticeship Training

A pre-apprenticeship is a course of training delivered by a TAFE college prior to commencing an apprenticeship with an employer. Students do not need an employer to undertake a Pre-apprentice course. Pre-apprentice courses generally take 8–16 weeks and prepare a student for an apprenticeship by teaching the basics of the trade.

Pre-apprenticeship courses are available in horticulture, general construction, electrical, engineering, floristry, furnishing, carpentry and joinery, plumbing and recreational vehicle manufacturing Many employers looking for staff are keen to employ job seekers with a pre-apprenticeship qualification.

For advice and information regarding these services please call us on (03) 9286 9691 or email Jobs Plus on jobsplus@bhtafe.edu.au.