Australian Apprenticeship Support Network Providers
Apprentices, trainees and employers will receive continual support from the Australia Apprenticeship Support Network throughout the entirety of the Australian Apprenticeship.
The support services that they provide include:
- Giving information regarding the most appropriate apprenticeships and traineeships for a specific company.
- Carrying out inductions with both the employer and the apprentice.
- Completing administration tasks such as setting up and changing the training contract.
- Handling submissions, checking eligibility and monitoring the progress of potential allowances, loans and incentives.
- Providing details about training providers that could help.
- Mentoring employers and apprentices throughout the process.
When hiring a new apprentice/trainee, an employer must work with an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network provider.
Registered Training Organisations
During the Australian apprenticeship, off-the-job training is carried out by the Registered Training Organisation (RTO), which may be a TAFE or a private training provider.
The RTO works collaboratively with the employer and the apprentices for the following purposes:
- To create a training plan.
- To provide off-the-job training.
- To give the employer the support needed to conduct the on-the-job training themselves.
- To certify the apprentice or trainee once they have completed the programme and issue their new qualification.
Employers
The process of starting an apprenticeship/traineeship begins with the employer. The employer must have a position available and want to hire you to work for their company. When seeking a new worker, the employer might choose to:
- Advertise a position.
- Directly hire a new employee.
- Hire someone who they are familiar with or someone recommended to them.
- Hire someone who has enquired directly with the company about their employment opportunities.
Whilst there can be apprenticeships and traineeships in all industries, the process must begin with a vacancy for employment. Therefore, you job-hunting experience will depend greatly on the industry in which you want to work, and whether employers need or want to hire apprentices at the time when you are applying.
Group Training Organisations
Another way in which apprentices and trainees may be hired is through Group Training Organisations, who employ them directly and send them to work in placements with host employers (see below). In such cases, many typical employer duties are carried out by the Group Training Organisations. For example:
- Hiring new apprentices and trainees.
- Dealing with wages, allowances, superannuation, compensation and other employment perks.
- Ensuring that the training is consistent and of high quality.
- Continually finding and arranging host company placements.
- Giving host employers and apprentices continued support throughout the entirety of the placement.
There are Group Training Organisations throughout the country, some of which focus exclusively on specific industries. Others, however, cover several industries.
Use these links to find out how Group Training Organisations might be able to help you find an apprenticeship or traineeship, or help an employer who wants to employ a new apprentice or trainee.
Host Employers
Apprentices/trainees who are recruited by Group Training Organisations will be placed with a host employer to carry out the apprenticeship and learn the required skills.
By taking on apprentices from Group Training Organisations, employers can train them in such a way that matches the needs of their company.
Group training may be especially beneficial for small and medium-sized businesses who tend to experience the following:
- Difficulty with employing new apprentices/trainees.
- Insufficient resources to successfully train a new apprentice.
- Inability to train the apprentices for all of the required work-related skills.
- Inability to commit the entirety of an apprenticeship or traineeship.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Information regarding work-related entitlements for both employers and employees can be found by contacting The Fair Work Ombudsman. This includes information about:
- Wages, subsidies, allowances and benefits.
- Award requirements (for example, 'who will pay for the training?')
- Employment conditions.
Schools
If the apprenticeship is school-based, it goes without saying that the school will be involved. As well as being required to approve the apprenticeship, they also have the following responsibilities:
- Working with the employer, the Registered Training Organisation and the apprentice to negotiate an education, training and employment schedule that suits everyone. In the schedule, details about when the apprentice must attend school, work or training is documented.
- Assisting the student apprentice with scheduling their work and training sessions with the Registered Training Organisation into their school timetable.
- Giving the apprentice/trainee consistent support throughout the entirety of their apprenticeship or traineeship.
Parents or Guardians
Apprentices who are under 18 years old must obtain approval from their parents or legal guardians when starting an apprenticeship or traineeship, as the parent/guardian will have to sign the training contract. Therefore, there are also specific requirements for parents/guardians, which can be found at the link below.
INFORMATION FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS
State and Territory Training Authorities
The key role of the State and Territory Authorities is to regulate and oversee the apprenticeship training system within their respective state/territory. They are government departments who give apprentices, trainees and employers the support they need throughout the apprenticeships. Their responsibilities include:
- Implementing and enforcing Australian Apprenticeship policies, regulations and administrative arrangements.
- Setting up employment for Australian Apprentices.
- Legally registering and approving training contract.
- Maintaining copies of important documents such as credentials/certificates/training record.
- Establishing the most appropriate qualifications for each Australian Apprenticeship.
- Financing User Choice Training.
- Registering and keeping track of Group Training Organisations and Registered Training Organisations.
- Dealing with issues about training quality.
If you have any problems whilst carrying out your Australian Apprenticeship, you should first consult your Apprenticeship Support Network provider. If they are unable to help, the State and Territory Training Authorities will be your next port of call.
