BUILDING APPRENTICESHIPS

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1 BUILDING APPRENTICESHIPS Your guide to becoming an APPRENTICE in the Building and Construction Industry

2 WHAT IS AN APPRENTICESHIP? It is work based training, usually for three to four years, which leads to becoming a qualified tradesperson. As an apprentice, you are required to develop your skills in the workplace being taught by tradespeople as well as attending off the job training with a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). CAN I START AN APPRENTICESHIP WHILE I AM STILL AT SCHOOL? I am 16 years old and am in year 11 at High School. I have made up my mind that I want to become an apprentice in the building industry. I realise I cannot leave school until I am 17 years old unless I can obtain an apprenticeship with an employer or alternatively commence a school based apprenticeship or become indentured with a group apprenticeship scheme. You may be able to start an Australian Apprenticeship while still at school. Your career advisers and teachers will know if you are able to do an Australian Apprenticeship while you are studying and can help you to choose the most suitable subjects. CAN I OBTAIN AN APPRENTICESHIP AS A MATURE AGE PERSON? Mature age workers are eligible for traineeships and apprenticeships. Many mature age apprentices have existing skills which may count to a shortening of the apprentice period. For further information contact Apprenticeship Solutions Free Call

3 HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE ME TO COMPLETE AN APPRENTICESHIP? An Australian Apprenticeship can take from two to four years to complete depending on the type of apprenticeship and the trade qualification you choose. You may be granted course credits for any skills you already have and your prior experience in the workplace potentially reduces your apprenticeship period. Australian Apprenticeships are competency based which means you can complete your training sooner if you get to the required skill level more quickly. MY FIRST DECISION IS, WHAT TRADE DO I WANT TO TAKE UP? What are my Apprenticeship options? Building and Construction trades Bricklaying Flooring Technology Bricklaying (Housing) Joinery (Housing) Cabinet Making Painting (Housing) Carpentry (Housing) Painting & Decorating Carpentry Fixing (Housing) Plastering Carpentry Framing (Housing) Plant Mechanic Carpentry Formwork (Housing) Plumbing & Gas fitting Carpentry & Joinery Roof Plumbing Concreter Roof Tiling Electrical Mechanic Sprinkler Fitting Electrical Servicing Steel Framing Engineering Trades Person (Mechanical) Stonemasonry (non monumental) Refrigeration & Air-conditioning Engineering Trades Person (Fabrication) Heavy Stonemason (with monumental) Engineering Trades Person (Fabrication) Heavy/Welding Tile laying Engineering Trades Person (Fabrication) Welding Wall & Ceiling Fixing Engineering Trades Person (Fabrication) Light Wall & Floor Tiling Engineering Trades Person Mechanical (Plant Mechanic) Glazier and Glass Processor

4 WILL I HAVE A PROBATIONARY PERIOD AND, IF SO, WILL IT BE INCLUDED IN THE TERM OF APPRENTICESHIP? Yes there is usually a probationary period and it is included in the tern of the apprenticeship. It can be between one and three months depending on the nominal duration of the apprenticeship. At anytime during this period, you or the employer can terminate the employment. DO I ATTEND THEORY TRAINING DURING THE APPRENTICESHIP? Attendance at the off-the-job component of an apprenticeship is compulsory and is as important as the on-the-job training. Generally off-the-job training involves one day a week for 36 weeks, or block training of up to 8 weeks during each year, for the first 3 years of the apprenticeship. You will be required to choose your Registered Training Organisation at signup. Off-the-job training is delivered by a Registered Training Organisation(TAFE is a Registered Training Organisation). The apprentice s employer now pays these fees. For information regarding all fees contact your chosen Registered Training Organisation. WHAT WILL BE EXPECTED OF ME? Be aware of and make a commitment to fulfil your work responsibilities. This involves: Attending and performing work in a professional and courteous manner in accordance with the employer s requirements; Taking care of workplace property and resources; Respecting the rights of other Australian Apprentices and employees in the workplace; Remembering that information obtained from the employer must be kept confidential and not disclosed without approval from the employer. WHAT ARE THE APPRENTICE S OBLIGATIONS? An apprentice is obliged to: Apply themselves to on-the-job training and make every effort to learn the trade and attain the skills of a qualified tradesperson, Apply themselves to off-the-job training and remember that attendance is compulsory. Satisfactory completion of off-the-job training is a requirement for the completion of the apprenticeship, and Cooperate with the employer in order to achieve the desired training outcomes.

5 HOW DO I GET AN APPRENTICESHIP? Apply for positions advertised in the newspapers Canvas employers directly Contact Group Training Companies Contact the ApprentiCentre on or Further assistance may be gained by contacting ww.australianapprenticeships.gov.au or Your school careers officer should help you with any contacts WHAT ELSE CAN HELP IN GAINING AN APPRENTICESHIP? (A) Undertake work experience to demonstrate your commitment (B) TAFE Organisations or Registered Training Organisations may have a pre-apprenticeship course which could help you find employment and give you credit in an apprenticeship such as: Central Institute of Technology Polytechnic West Challenger Institute of Technology / Silver Trowel Trade Training (C) Complete a resume of yourself (D) Electrical - There is an opportunity to attend Electrical Colleges College of Electrical Training Balcatta - 15 week course. Phone College of Electrical Training Jandakot - 15 week course. Phone TAFE Course Polytechnic West - six months course. Phone Attending one of these Colleges usually results in securing an apprenticeship. Credits are also given off the length of the apprenticeship (E) Bricklaying - There is an organisation called Australian Brick and Blocklaying Training Foundation that you can call on or visit their website at

6 WHAT RATES OF PAY APPLY TO APPRENTICES? Apprentice wages vary according to the type of trade they are working in, and the year of the apprenticeship. Industry awards regulate wages and conditions. Details of applicable rates are available. Visit or call Wageline Information on Master Builders members can call Kim Richardson on for advice. WHO PAYS FOR MY TOOLS? For some apprenticeships, your employer must provide you with tools or a tool allowance. To find out more contact Wageline on or visit WHO PAYS THE RTO/TAFE FEES THE EMPLOYER OR THE APPRENTICE? The employer is now responsible for payment of the training fees. HOW CAN I BE CERTAIN ALL MY DOCUMENTS ARE IN ORDER AT THE SIGNING OF THE APPRENTICESHIP AGREEMENT? Your Apprenticeship ( Training Contract) is a signed, formal agreement between yourself, your employer and the agreed chosen Registered Training Organisation. It is obligatory that the Joint Parties are signed at no cost with one of the Australian Apprenticeship Centres. WHAT IS AN AUSTRALIAN APPRENTICE CENTRE AND WHAT DOES IT DO? An Australian Apprentice Centre is a free service provided to assist in the formal signing of a training contract to commence your apprenticeship. On registration of this contract the Australian Apprentice Centre will assess the information in the training contract, and work out eligibility for incentives such as Tools for your Trade and other personal benefits such as living away from home allowance. Eligibility for incentives is set by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR). All Australian Apprentice Centres have monitoring requirements where you are contacted to see how you are progressing with your apprenticeship. Australian Apprentice Centres also provide you with claim forms for eligible incentives. After the training contract is fully completed and signed, the Australian Apprentice Centre submits the training contract for approval and registration. You may receive visits on-site from experienced industry officers who ensure the quality of the training provided by your Registered Training Organisation and employer.

7 WHAT IS A REGISTERED TRAINING ORGANISATION? A Registered Training Organisation is the agreed chosen training provider that will deliver the theoretical or off-the-job training. Your chosen Registered Training Organisation may require you and your employer to complete a Training Records File as a record of tasks completed competently over the duration of your apprenticeship. Your employer and Registered Training Organisation (RTO) must sign and date each completed task. This is used for your assessment. It is vital you take responsibility for this and all records provided to you while you are an apprentice. WHERE DO I GO IF I HAVE ANY PROBLEMS OR QUESTIONS DURING MY APPRENTICESHIP? An Australian Apprenticeships Centre can assist you with any problems or questions you may have or you can also contact: The ApprentiCentre on for issues about your training contract or a dispute with your employer, Wageline on about wages or award conditions, Your Registered Training Organisation about the training being delivered. WHO CAN I CONTACT FOR ASSISTANCE AND ADVICE? MEGT (Australia) Ltd CCI Employfast Mission Australia Apprenticeships Solutions Team The Apprenticeship and Traineeship Company AMA Services Pty Ltd ApprentiCentre The following Group Training Companies may also be able to assist you to get an apprenticeship; ABN Training ATC WORKSMART Australian Trades College Kimberley Group Training Inc Skill Hire PTY Ltd The Apprentice & Traineeship Company The West Australian Group Training Scheme

8 JOHN BRAY In acknowledgement and appreciation of the late John Bray s efforts and time to develop this guide for WA Apprentices. Principal Partner Major Sponsor T: F: E: training@mbawa.com W: