Traineeships

Traineeship System:

The Traineeship System is a vocational training system aimed at developing the skills of people entering the workforce. Traineeship involve a combination of on and off-the-job instruction in a range of industry and personal skills.

The National Training Wage (NTW) Program provides training and work opportunities to young people, adults and the long-term unemployed. Under the NTW Award trainees are paid a training wage. The traineeship is generally of 12 months duration and training can be provided either on or off the job, or a combination of both depending on the traineeship package selected. On completion of the traineeship, NTW trainees receive a qualification and a certificate that is nationally recognised and accepted by industry.

How does it work:

Traineeship provide broad-based entry level training in a range of occupations. There is a training period of at least 12 months combining structured on and off-the-job training, at either college/institute of TAFE or other approved training provider. Some traineeships are conducted entirely on the job. A traineeship involves the employer and trainee entering into a formal training agreement that outlines their responsibilities and gives details of the traineeship. The employer is responsible for ensuring that the trainee receives quality on-the-job training, and for releasing the trainee to attend off-the-job training. The trainee must attend and participate in the training provided. Most trainees are paid a weekly wage under the National Training Wage Award or its State equivalent

A training plan includes:

• Job specific training, usually relating to a range of occupational skills;
• training in a range of general skills, including numeracy, problem solving and practical skills;
• the development of personal work effectiveness skills.

How to become a trainee:

You may find an employer who will employ you as a trainee. Traineeship positions are also advertised through CES or local newspapers. When you start a traineeship you are placed on probation, usually for one month. This means that you have a chance to show the employer that you will make a good trainee and it also gives you the chance to make sure that you are happy with your choice of job. Both you and your employer will be required to sign a formal training agreement.

You know that you are recognised as a trainee when this training agreement has been signed by the employer and yourself and registered with the State training authority.