How to sign up a new trainee or apprentice

Islay Macmichael & Mandy Walker > CAECE – College for Australian Early Childhood Educators

Have you considered taking on a trainee or an apprentice but are not sure how or where to start?

Taking on a trainee or an apprentice has many advantages for the employer and the educator. It can often be the beginning of a long and rewarding relationship between employer and employee. Some of the benefits of taking on a trainee or an apprentice can include:

• Job security for both trainee/apprentice and employer. It is a contract that both parties must commit to and can provide security for the employer that the educator will progress in their studies at a reasonable rate as per the regulatory requirements

• Support and mentoring for the educator during their studies

• Support from the Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (ASSN) at sign-up, during the contract term and at the completion of the qualification

• Subsidised wages with available government incentives (eligibility criteria apply)

• The trainee/apprentice may be eligible for Apprentices’ support payments (eligibility criteria apply)

• Fee-free training for educators who are under 25 years of age (the day before they turn 25)

Myths and facts

Myth: You have to commit to employing the trainee/ apprentice for 2-4 years

Fact: The training contract can be cancelled by the employee, employer or RTO for varied reasons

Myth: You have to give the educator a huge amount of paid time off the floor for study

Fact: At sign-up, you, the employee and the RTO will negotiate study time. Study time is a recommendation not a requirement - however, time to study at work does help educators progress in their studies and provides positive outcomes for their learning

Myth: The employer pays all the fees for the training

Fact: While this is true for apprentices, it is not true for trainees, the employer and the employee will receive incentive payments to support the financial implication of taking on a trainee/apprentice so it is recommended that the employer pay the fees

Myth: Trainees can not be left unsupervised

Fact: A trainee is no different from an unqualified educator, except in the case of a school-based trainee under 18. A school-based trainee under 18 must be supervised

Myth: Trainees do not count towards ratio

Fact: A trainee is no different to an unqualified educator and can be counted towards ratios

What is the difference between a trainee and an apprentice?

A trainee is enrolling in CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, whereas an apprentice is enrolling into the CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care. Trainees and apprentices are both being paid to study but do come with some differences in the time frames and expectations.

CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

• The trainee must complete a minimum of 15 paid hours per week

• Trainees under 25 years of age are fee-free (the day before they turn 25)

• Who is expected to pay fees and charges to the training provider?

Usually, students are required to pay a co-contribution fee. https://desbt.qld.gov.au/training/training-careers/ incentives/userchoice

The fee may be paid on behalf of the trainee by a third party such as the employer or a parent, but it cannot be paid by your training provider. https://www.qld.gov.au/education/training/subsidies/ userchoice

CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

• The apprentice must complete a minimum of 15 paid hours per week

• Apprentices under 25 years of age are fee-free (the day before they turn 25)

Steps to take to start the journey

• For information on incentives, payments, benefits and requirements, go to https://www. australianapprenticeships.gov.au/

• The employer contacts their preferred Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (ASSN) provider to book in the initial sign-up between the trainee/apprentice, employer, and apprenticeship centre.

• Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (ASSN) contact details:

• Busy at work – 13 28 79 https://www.busyatwork. com.au/

• MAS National – 1300 627 628 https://masnational.com. au/

• MEGT Australia – 13 63 48 https://www.megt.com.au/

• Sarina Russo Apprenticeships – 13 15 59 https://www.sarinarusso.com/apprenticeships/

• Apprenticeship Support Australia (ASA) – 1300 363 831 https://www.apprenticeshipsupport.com.au/Home

• The ASSN will go through the contract and will explain the expectations of the educator and employer. They will explain any student co-contribution fees that may need to be paid and discuss any incentive payments to which the educator and employer may be entitled.

• The ASSN will ask if you have a preferred Training Provider (registered training organisation)

• The preferred RTO will receive a contract from the ASSN to accept

• The preferred RTO will contact the trainee/apprentice and employer to advise a contract has been received and accepted and will start the enrolment process It can take, on average, 6 weeks for the training contract to become active and for the educator to start their study journey.