AUSTRALIAN APPRENTICESHIPS

What are Australian Apprenticeships?

Australian Apprenticeships is the new name for all apprenticeships and traineeships.  They combine structured training and employment and can be full-time, part-time or school-based.  Apprenticeships lead to nationally recognised qualifications.  They have a valued and important part to play in industries seeking to develop new and existing employees.

Tasmania still distinguishes between an apprenticeship, which can be up to 4 years and a traineeship which is usually between 12-24 months.  There is an enormous variety of apprentice and traineeships available in a myriad of industries, such as:

Benefits of employing an Australian Apprentice?

There are many benefits and advantages to employing an Australian Apprentice:

• Apprentices are trained to your business requirements
• Training is from Certificate to Advanced Diploma level
• Financial incentives for eligible employers
• Flexible training options – Full-time, Part-time and School-based
• Negotiated training to suit your business needs

Where to find an Australian Apprentice to employ?

There are many options available to you to locate an apprentice that will suit your needs.  Some of these are:

• Contact a Job Network organisation
• Contact an Australian Apprenticeships Centre
• Contact TAFE to advise their prevocational and pre-employment students of vacant positions
• Suitable work experience student from a school or college
• Contact a Group Training Company
• Advertise in the newspaper
• Existing employee

An Australian Apprenticeship Centre (ACC) can also provide you with advice on employing your Australian Apprentice.  Please ensure that you advise your chosen ACC that TAFE Tasmania is your preferred training organisation.

Why TAFE Tasmania for your Apprentice?

TAFE Tasmania is Australia’s leading provider of vocational education and training.  Supporting this claim is the fact that we have been the winner of the prestigious Australian National Training Authority (ANTA) Large Training Provider of the Year Award – twice.  No one else in Australia has achieved this recognition.  We understand training and how it relates to your business needs.  TAFE Tasmania is the proven leader in providing innovative, quality training for Tasmanian businesses.

We can provide

• nationally recognised, industry relevant training
• specific training plans tailored for your business
• personalised service, on and off-the-job
• a wide range of training programs across many different sectors
• qualified and experienced trainers and assessors
• on-the-job site visits suited to your business commitments
• self-paced support materials and interactive training sessions
• flexible workplace or simulated assessment methods.
  

Employer Responsibilities & Obligation

As an employer you must provide your apprentice or trainee with:

• opportunity to learn the skills and acquire the knowledge of the trade or industry area
• access to structured on and/or off-the-job training
• time off work to attend training when necessary
• a safe working environment which is free from any harassment
• benefits specified in the training or industrial agreement (eg tool allowance)
• you must provide a clear understanding of your expectations and of their responsibilities in accepting to undertake the training.

Each apprentice/trainee needs to have an individualised training plan which is negotiated between you, the employee and the training provider.  The training plan describes the way the training will be delivered to achieve the agreed qualification.  Training plans set out the units/modules and competencies that your apprentice/trainee will be required to complete for that qualification. 

Changes to plans are possible and must be negotiated and agreed to by all parties to the contract. For advice, assistance and information on Australian Apprenticeship contracts contact your local ACC or a Training Consultant from Skills Tasmania.

Managing Australian Apprentices

There is a National Code of Good Practice for Australian Apprenticeships.  You can download it from:

www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au/about/brouchures.asp

The day to day management of apprentices/trainees involves following the training plan and meeting any legal requirements, such as reporting and records management.  Employers are required to keep the following records (list provided by Skills Tasmania):

• Registration approval letter from Skills Tasmania
• Copy of the Training Contract
• Copy of the Training Plan
• Record of Wages and Time worked
• Updated copies of Training Record
• RTO attendance details
• Copy of the award/agreement your apprentice/trainee is employed under.
• All correspondence with Skills Tasmania or others in relation to your apprentice/trainee

Financial Incentive and Assistance for Employers

Employees can be covered by either Federal or State Awards/Agreements.  The awards/agreements set out the conditions and minimum wages for specified employees.

Australian Apprentices are employed under the appropriate industrial relations agreement or award and are entitled to the same conditions of employment as other employees working in similar occupations.  Their wages vary according to the type of industry they are working in, years of service and the job classification of the apprentice or trainee.  It is important to ensure that your apprentice or trainee has a clear understanding of their conditions of employment.

For further information on awards/agreements visit:
Workplace Standards Tasmania – www.wst.tas.gov.au
Workplace Authority – www.workplaceauthority.gov.au

Other Costs

Further to wages, there are costs associated with selecting and employing an apprentice or trainee.  Such as

• Administration and advertising cost associated with the hiring process.
• Purchase of any specialised equipment (not already available through your business)
• Superannuation (fund identified by employee)
• Workers Compensation coverage for any potential work related injury/death.
• You may be required to contribute to additional or customised training for your apprentice/trainee.
• As the employer you may also have to pay the TAFE enrolment fee.

Further information on potential additional cost can be found by contacting Workplace Standards Tasmania on (03) 6233 7657 or 1300 366 322 (within Tasmania) or call the Workplace Infoline on 1300 363 264.

What assistance is there?

There is a variety of incentives and assistance available to employers at both a Commonwealth and State level.  TAFE Tasmania is unable to advise on which would best apply to your business.  For information on your eligibility, and how to access these incentives please contact your local Australian Apprenticeship Centre (ACC).

CONTENTS

• What are Australian Apprenticeships?
  
  
• Benefits of employing an Australian Apprentice
  
  
• Where to find an Australian Apprentice to employ?
  
  
• Why TAFE Tasmania for your Australian Apprentice?
  
  
• Employer Responsibilities & Obligations
  
  
• Financial Incentives and Assistance for Employers
  
  
• What assistance is there?