Traineeships

A traineeship is a structured training program for people to gain vocational training.  

Traineeships are available as 3 options  
(a) Full time (min 38 hours per week)  
(b) Part Time Traineeships
(c) School Based Part Time Traineeships 

The Training Agreement 
The Training Agreement (called indentures) is a legally binding contract that allows an employer and trainee to undertake an traineeship. The training agreement is signed and completed by the employer, the trainee, and the parent or guardian if the trainee is under 18 years. 

Conditions of Employment 
Under the training agreement, the employer agrees to train the trainee in an appropriate range of work, and to pay him or her wages and entitlements under the specific industrial award or workplace agreement. The employer also agrees to arrange off the job training with a training provider and to release the trainee to attend this training where required.

The trainee agrees to attend and perform work as directed, in a courteous and professional manner, and attend off-the-job training as required.

A Training Record Book is issued to an trainee after a Training Agreement has been registered and approved. The trainee must enter details in the training book of the work he or she performs each week. The employer must also verify the apprentice's entries. Trainees who do not maintain these records may be penalised. It is important to fill out the training book regularly as it is the only record of the skills and work you have done.

Trainees are different from other employees in that they are hired under a contract ( the Training Agreement). They must not take part in industrial disputes or strikes as this is a beach of the conditions of the Training Agreement. If a dispute arises, trainees and employers should contact a DET office for assistance.

A trainee can be suspended or fined for any of the following reasons: 

1. Being absent from work without the employer's consent;  
2. Disobeying lawful orders of the employer or supervisor; 
3. Dishonesty or gross misbehaviour; 
4. Not attending off-the-job training.  

Length of training 
The length of the training period is determined by the State Training Council. It will normally be 12 months in duration, however this will depend on the trainees previous experience in the vocation, and how quickly they achieve the required skills. 

Probation 
A probation period is part of all apprenticeships and is included in the length of the training agreement. It is a trial period for both the employer and the trainee. The probation period for a trainee is 1 month.  

Completion of a traineeship 
The traineeship is completed on the attainment of skills or competencies approved for that traineeship. The trainee is awarded a certificate in their chosen vocation. 

Cancellation of the traineeship 
The Training Agreement may be cancelled in two ways: 

1. During the probation period by either party giving one week's notice. 

2. By mutual agreement after the probation period. 

An trainee can enter another Training Agreement with another employer after the cancellation of the previous.  

Wages 
Under traineeship programs the trainee is paid under the National Training Wage. The wage is calculated based on the following:

1. The years since the trainee left school. If this is greater than 5 years the trainee is paid the highest rate. 

2. The Skill level of the traineeship. each traineeship is assigned its own skill level 

A trainee has the same entitlement to workers' compensation as other employees in their vocation. Trainees' hours of work, overtime, holidays, sick leave, superannuation and other penalty provisions are outlined by the National Training award. 

On the job training 
A number of Traineeships are now available where the trainee can be trained entirely in the workplace by the employer, in consultation with a registered training provider. The registered training provider assists the employer and trainee with the development of a training plan that ensures the trainee receives the proper training and support throughout the traineeship period. More information can be obtained from you local DET, NAC or Group Training Company. 

Off the job training 
Trainees may still be required to complete some of their training away from the workplace. Courses are offered on a 'block release' or a 'day release' system, or a combination of both. A trainee on 'block release' attends classes for a number of weeks at a time, while 'day release' involves attendance at off-the-job training usually for one or two days each week. Penalties may be imposed on trainees who do not attend off-the-job training, or on employers who prevent them from attending. 

Financial Assistance 
Trainees who need to live away from home may be eligible for a living away from home allowance of $70+ per week. For further information contact your local New Apprenticeship Centre. 

Educational Requirements 
Employers in most trades prefer applicants who have completed at least year 10. However it is becoming more common for employers to take those who have completed year 12 or a pre-vocational course. Students interested in a trade or vocation should consider taking vocational subjects as a part of their year 11 or year 12 studies.