Bottom line??? Getting an apprenticeship or traineeship IS getting a job… with low pay and lots of training…. which is usually paid for by the employer.
Difference between Apprentices and Trainees
When you complete your apprenticeship or traineeship you are qualified to work in your field, at your chosen qualification level.
- An apprentice is a qualified tradesperson (painter, electrician etc).
- A trainee is qualified in their chosen field (IT, hospitality, mining, child care etc).
Step 1 Discover what Apprenticeship/Traineeship you want
- If you don’t have a career advisor at school go to one of the Jobs and Skills Centres and ask for help to find a career that matches your abilities and what you like. These Centres are West Australia’s first point of call for people wanting career help.
- You can do some online research at home by exploring some of these Career Tools and Resources.
Once you know what road you want to take you need to find someone who will give you a chance to get started.
Step 2 Develop Your Resume
If you are a school leaver you may not have much to put into your application. Google helps you to put together a resume HERE. Youth Central is a Victorian Government site that has job application writing advice for school students from Year 10.
Step 3 Find a Job
If you haven’t been to a Jobs and Skills Centre yet, go now. They will help you to be confident about your career choice, they will check your resume and they will explain the differences between direct employment and employment by a Group Training Organisation.
The Australian Apprenticeship Support Network has been set up to support apprentices and trainees and employers. Find your closest one and contact it for help.
Go to your Family and Friends
Many jobs aren’t advertised. Let your extended family know you are looking for an apprenticeship or traineeship in … whatever your choose…..and ask them to ask their friends if they know of anything. You may be lucky to find someone you know who will give you a chance.
Check Job Ads
Go online and look for jobs in the field you are interested in. Check out Seek, Jora or Indeed.
Go to a Group Training Organisation
Group Training Organisations employ apprentices and trainees and place them with one or more host employers. You can be rotated around different jobs in one big host organisation like BHP or government or you can be rotated around a number of small employers to help you to get experience across the industry.
You can find a Group Training Organisation near you by checking HERE .
Group Training Organisations have job boards where they advertise apprenticeship and traineeship opportunities.
- Provide mentor support to job seekers.
- Select which applicant to employ for each position.
- Place them with host employers.
- Pay the wages, any allowances, superannuation, holiday pay etc.
- Make sure good quality training is happening, both on the job and off the job at TAFE.
- Care for apprentices/trainees and host employers.
Step 4 Go for Job Interviews
There is plenty of online help to improve your interview skills.
You can look for the advice on:
Stand on the Shoulders of Giants
Some industries have mentors. They are usually leaders or experts in their industry who volunteer their time to help new people to succeed in their industry.
Your chances of getting and succeeding in an apprenticeship or traineeship can be vastly increased by getting a mentor.
You can find a list of mentors HERE.
Summary
The world of apprenticeships and traineeships can be confusing. Finding your way from school through the hoops required to land an apprenticeship or traineeship can be tough.
Keep up to date with career developments. Subscribe to the In Focus Careers Newsletter at Bev.J@infocus-careers.com.au
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