Steps to gain an apprenticeship or traineeship

If you’re thinking of becoming an apprentice or trainee, below are a few helpful steps to point you in the right direction to commencing a great career.

Here's the basics for getting started

1. Learn about all the industries offering apprenticeships and traineeships and work out what interests you!
2. Go job-seeking. Find an apprenticeship or traineeship with an employer.
3. You and your employer find a TAFE or training provider that offers the course relevant to your work.
4. Your employer registers you with an approved Apprentice Connect Australia Provider (ACAP). An ACAP representative will organise a training contract between you and your employer.
5. Your ACAP registers your training contract on the apprenticeship database, and you get a unique student number.
6. Once your training provider has received your number, they develop a plan with you and your employer. Once you’ve signed that, you can get started with your training.

Further information on the steps to gaining an apprenticeship or traineeship can be found here How to find and prepare for an apprenticeship | Australian Apprenticeships or here How to get started | apprenticeships.vic.gov.au

Tips to get an apprenticeship or traineeship

Video credit: BCITO and Master Plumbers NZ

How to get an apprenticeship

• Maintain a good work ethic and attitude
• Gain your driver’s licence
• Try and stay in school as long as possible
• Update your resume/CV to include all your skills
• Ask for References, whether personal or work
• Ask for work experience and show your initiative.

Things employers look for in apprentices 

• Be punctual, enthusiastic, and have a positive attitude
• Ask questions, lots and lots of questions
• Remember that a day at trade school is a day at work
• Use your initiative
• Listen and learn.

Tips from apprentices

• Be keen and committed
• Teamwork
• What you put in, you get back
• Work hard and stick at it
• How much you learn is up to you.