FAQ - VETiS

EARN WHILE YOU LEARN AS AN APPRENTICE OR TRAINEE

Difference between an apprentice and a trainee

Apprentices are trained in a skilled trade (e.g. electrical, plumbing, cabinet-making, automotive) and, upon successful completion, become a qualified tradesperson. Apprenticeships generally take up to 4 years to complete.

Trainees are trained in vocational areas (e.g. business administration, information technology, tourism) and, upon successful completion, receive a qualification in their chosen vocational area. Traineeships generally take between 12 months and 3 years to complete.

Quick facts about apprenticeships and traineeships

• Apprenticeships and traineeships combine work with structured training. • Apprenticeships and traineeships can be full-time, part-time, or school-based - where some training is undertaken while the apprentice or trainee is in high school. However, apprenticeships and traineeships cannot be completed on a casual basis. • Existing employees may undertake an apprenticeship or traineeship. • Apprenticeships and traineeships require employers to enter into a training contract with the apprentice or trainee, which is a legally binding agreement to work and train together for a length of time. • Employers work with a training organisation and the apprentice or trainee to negotiate a training plan. • Training options must be negotiated and outlined in the training plan. Aspects of training that are open to negotiation (subject to training package requirements) include selection, content and sequencing of competency units; timing, location and mode of delivery; and trainer or facilitator.

Types of apprenticeships and traineeships

Full-time or part-time

• Full-time apprentices and trainees work and train an average of 38 hours per week and have ongoing employment • Part-time apprentices and trainees are rostered to work on a regular basis, working and training no less than 15 hours per week, averaged over a 4-week cycle. • Existing workers may be employed as an apprentice or trainee in a full-time or part-time capacity. • The nominal term of a part-time apprenticeship or traineeship is generally double that of the full-time apprenticeship or traineeship.

School-based

• School-based apprentices and trainees undertake an apprenticeship or traineeship as part of their high school studies (generally in years 10, 11 and 12). • A school-based apprentice or trainee's employment and/or training arrangements must impact on their school timetable for the program to be considered school-based. • The nominal term of a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship is generally double that of the fulltime apprenticeship or traineeship.