You may not have thought of yourself as a potential apprentice or trainee, but there are plenty of different pathways into an apprenticeship or traineeship.
This page will explain some options for apprenticeships and traineeships if you want to:
> Know what's in demand
> Stay at school
> Leave school, or have already left
> Stay in your industry, but get different skills
> Move into a new industry
> Get into government
> Follow up related links
There’s no set level of education you have to finish before you can do an apprenticeship or traineeship. Different employers will have different expectations. You can leave school early and start an apprenticeship or traineeship but you can also work towards an apprenticeship or traineeship while you're still at school.
What’s in demand?
There are some jobs where there aren't enough skilled people to match the demand. If you get qualified in one of these areas, you're likely to be busy (and well paid) once you get established.
The Victorian Government has conducted some surveys into which skills are in demand in which areas. Check out our Skills in Demand page for information about how to access the results of these surveys.
The federal government has also done some research which identified trades which were experiencing shortages, and came up with the National Skills Needs List (NSNL) (new window). Eligibility for some government schemes and financial support is also linked to this list.
Of course, the global economic outlook is always changing and you can't predict the future. Do your research, get in touch with your local Apprenticeships Field Officer (new window) to make sure you're up-to-date with what's happening in your area and your industry.
I want to stay in school
School-based apprenticeships
You don’t have to leave school to do an apprenticeship or traineeship. Your school just has to approve your training plan.
If you stay at school and complete a School Based New Apprenticeship (which can be either an apprenticeship or traineeship), you get hands on industry training and experience and a nationally recognised Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification. You also get your secondary school certificate in Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL). For more information about the difference between VCE and VCAL, check out our Secondary options page in our Study & training section.
Under a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship, you’ll spend time:
- At school
- With your employer
- Doing training with a registered training organisation
If you go on to do an apprenticeship or traineeship, you'll get credit towards it so it won't take as long to finish. Visit the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority website for more details about your options.
Finishing Year 11 and 12
You can also stay on and finish Year 11 and 12, then look for an apprenticeship or traineeship once you've finished school. Some employers prefer apprentices and trainees who have completed Year 12 because it shows their commitment to learning and achieving results. You're also old enough to get a licence and you're that little bit more mature.
If you choose to do your VCE, you don't just have to do subjects like history and maths. You can still do some VET subjects like Building and Construction or Hospitality Operations. You can even complete a VET certificate in specific industry areas. Check with your school and visit the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority website for ideas.
Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning
The VCAL program (the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning) is made up of four parts:
- Literacy and Numeracy Skills - VCE subjects like Maths or English
- Industry Specific Skills - VET units or certificates
- Work Related Skills - through a workplace learning placement, a School Based New Apprenticeship or your casual or part-time job
- Personal Development Skills - community-based projects and other activities that help you improve your self-confidence and teamwork skills
Talk to your careers advisor and check out Skills Victoria – School-based training (new window), Australian Apprenticeships (new window) or the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority websites for more information.
I'm looking for something outside school
If you've left school or are thinking about leaving, you could do a pre-apprenticeship course. This is training that gives you a head start on your apprenticeship. It's a good way to sample an industry and see if it's what you really want to do.
Pre-apprenticeships are available in lots of trades including the automotive industry, engineering, furnishing and hairdressing. Completing a pre-apprenticeship course is no guarantee that you'll get an apprenticeship and it's not compulsory. But if you do the course and take on an apprenticeship, it could cut down your apprenticeship time by three to 12 months in some industries.
Alternatively, you could start looking for an apprenticeship or traineeship straight away. Check out our Finding an Employer or Trainer page for more information about how to hunt down an opportunity.
I'm employed in the industry, but I need new skills
Some employers are willing to train someone they already employ as an apprentice or trainee as a way of giving them new skills for their job. There are then benefits for both the employer and employee. This situation will combine:
- Structured off-the-job or workplace-based training
- Practical experience in the workplace
You and your employer will need to choose a Registered Training Organisation for your formal training and agree on a training plan.
For more advice on how to approach your employer and developing a training plan, contact an Apprenticeships Field Officer (new window).
I want to move to a new industry
If you’ve already got a job but want to move into a different area, an apprenticeship or traineeship will give you a structured pathway into a new industry so you can move with confidence. Check out our Finding an Employer or Trainer page for more information about how to find an opportunity in your chosen industry.
I want to work in the government
The Victorian government's Youth Employment Scheme (YES) was set up to allow people between 15 and 24 to do apprenticeships and traineeships within State Government organisations, including hospitals, the CFA and government departments and agencies. Apprenticeships or traineeships with YES can be done in metropolitan Melbourne or regional Victoria.
You can find out more about YES on our Youth Employment Scheme page, which also has some interviews with YES participants.
Links
Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority
All the details about the different options that combine going to school with getting experience in the workplace and working toward and apprenticeship or traineeship.
Skills Victoria - Apprentices and Trainees
A range of guides and resources about apprenticeships and traineeships in Victoria.
Australian Apprenticeships
The Federal Government's apprenticeships and traineeships scheme (formerly New Apprenticeships).
Youth Pathways
Source of advice if you've left school and a bit lost about what to do next. Find a local service in your area and browse throught he case studies for inspiration.
