Your Free Learning

What is a Traineeship?

A traineeship is a full-time or part-time employment based training arrangement. During the course of a traineeship, a trainee gains paid work and has the opportunity to learn new skills in a hands-on environment. On successful completion, the trainee earns a nationally recognised qualification. A traineeship is a valuable first step to a rewarding career.

What is the difference between a traineeship and an apprenticeship?

Traineeships are for existing workers as well as new entrants to the workplace. Apprenticeships are for workers beginning a new trade.

Traineeships = Certificate or Diploma Qualification. Traineeships are for employed individuals wanting to complete a Nationally Accredited Certificate or Diploma level qualification.

Apprenticeship = Learning a Trade. Apprenticeships are for workers beginning a new trade. Eg: boiler maker, carpenter, plumber etc

What is the age eligibility?

You can be from 15 years to 65 years of age. The free training funding that is available under ‘Traineeships’ and ‘Australian Apprenticeships’ often creates a misconception that the free training is only for newcomers, but that simply is not the case. The free government funded courses purpose is to provide anyone the opportunity to up skill at any point in their career. ( Should they meet the eligibility )

Will my wage be affected if I enter into a Traineeship?

NO, it does not affect you wage or your salary. Existing workers that enter into their traineeships cannot have their wages affected. The traineeship or free government funded courses are here to enhance your career opportunities and will not bring any changes to your salary or wage. This funded training option does not affect your salary or wages in any way. Neither employers nor employees are required to make any financial contributions towards to the cost of the course. You can continue to work with no changes to pay or your hours and the easy online training allow you to learn at a time and pace that suits your lifestyle and commitments.

Is there any cost to the employee?

No, none.

Is there any cost to the employer?

No, none

Who pays for the existing worker training?

The Federal Government funds the existing worker traineeship of $4000 per eligible trainee which is paid to the employer. This is paid over two installments:

• $1500 on commencement
• $2500 on completion

Two payment options are available:

Option 1: Pay upfront in full and receive a discount

• Diplomas – $3150
• Certificate IV – $2880
• Certificate III - $2450
  
  

Option 2: Commencement and Completion Payment

$1500 on commencement - Invoice from AOT is payable upon receipt of the traineeship commencement payment from the Government.

$2500 on completion - Invoice from AOT is payable upon receipt of the traineeship completion payment from the Government.

If a student has been enrolled with Accredited Online Training for 90 days or more, Accredited Online Training has the right to claim and retain the first round of funding of  $1500.00, which will not be refundable.  This amount covers our administration costs.

What are a trainee’s obligations?

• Cooperate with the employer in order to achieve the desired training outcomes;
• Attend the off-the-job, external or on-the-job training as required and apply themselves to the agreed training plan;
• Complete all of the work set by the Registered Training Organisation; and
• Keep a record of achievements both at work and training.

When can I start my Traineeship course?

Trainees can commence their course at anytime of the year. Upon signing the traineeship contract with the Australian Apprenticeship Centre, and completing the enrolment form and training plan from AOT, the trainee will be given access to their online course to begin study.

What are my employer’s responsibilities?

• Providing input to training plans.
• Providing trainees with opportunities for skills development.
• Gathering evidence of on-the-job performance for assessment purposes.
• Providing opportunities for trainees to be withdrawn from routine work for the purpose of developing competence in other skills.
• Completing documentation. Eg: Signing off on competence or verifying logbook entries to the satisfaction of the licensing authority.
• Ensuring duty of care and providing support.

Why become a Trainee?

Kick Start Your Career
Career wise there’s room to move up and a traineeship helps you gain more employable skills.

Earn While You Learn
A trainee makes real money while they learn.

Do Interesting And Varied Work
There are over 8 different traineeships to choose from with AOT

Learn On And Off The Job
Learn new skills by working and training on the job and off the job with Accredited Online Training.

Gain Qualifications
You can get a nationally recognised industry qualification which will give you an edge in the employment market.

If I have questions about my course who can I ask?

AOT has unlimited trainer support so you can contact them via a toll-free number or email throughout the program.

How long does a traineeship take to complete?

The nominal time provided to complete a traineeship will depend on the course and state regulations. Generally speaking a course has duration of 12 months – 36 months. Your government funding specialist can assist you with more specific information as this is determined by the course you choose.

Can I complete my traineeship early?

If a candidate completes a qualification in less than the contracted term, they may be required to complete an early completion form, provided by The Apprenticeship Centre. There are no restrictions around early completion as outcomes and achievement of job competency is the paramount consideration.

Do students have to attend classes?

The course is delivered online and the traineeship is workplace based. Online resources, activities and reading materials are used to enhance workplace learning and assist with the underpinning of skills and knowledge.

As the majority of the learning takes place in the workplace, participants must be given 3 hours per week outside normal duties (in work time) to work on training activities. This time requirement is dependent on your working conditions, for example part-time versus full-time, and it can also vary depending on the level of study you are undertaking.

Do students have to sit exams?

No. The program is competency based. Assessment is based on portfolio evidence, workplace assessments or online assessments.

If an assessment requires me to access workplace information, such as policies and procedures and I can’t access these as the workplace doesn’t have any in place, what should I do?

AOT provides a simulated workplace that you are able to refer to. Global Star Enterprises has policies and procedures available online that you can use for assessments and/or model in developing your own policies and procedures for implementation in your own workplace.

What is the eligibility criteria to access Government Funded Training?

In order to be eligible you will need to meet the following criteria.

You must

• Must be 15 years of age or over
• Be employed full time or part time on a permanent basis
• Have a supervisor above you in the workplace to monitor your training
• Be an Australian citizen/ permanent resident or a NZ citizen with more than 6 months residency in Australia
• Not hold a Diploma qualification or higher

To confirm your staff's eligibility please complete the Eligibility Questionnaire.

If I am still active in an old traineeship, can I cancel or complete it so I can begin a new traineeship?

Yes you can.

To complete a previous traineeship, please see your previous employer who you did your traineeship with and ask them to complete the paperwork which is provided to them by the Australian Apprenticeship Centre. To cancel a previous traineeship, please see your previous employer who you did your traineeship with and ask them to complete the cancellation form.

If I change employers can I transfer my traineeship to the new employer?

Yes, if an employee leaves his/her employment a cancellation form will need to be completed by the employer and employee. This means you will not receive the completion payment from the Government and will not have to pay AOT the completion payment. The trainee can recommence their traineeship with their new employer and a will have 7 years to recommence. A record of the traineeship will be kept with the Apprentice Centre for a maximum of 7 years. However it is best to recommence within 12 months as the Training Package or course can invariably change, and this could affect recommencing.

Will my wage be affected if I enter into a Traineeship?

Existing workers that enter into their traineeships cannot have their wages affected. Its only if a new employee is going to commence employment as a trainee that they can negotiate traineeship wages.