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A parent’s guide to apprenticeships and traineeships
An apprenticeship or traineeship will ensure that your child has the very best start to their career. As a parent or guardian, you play a crucial role in guiding and supporting your child as they consider this career pathway.
Understanding apprenticeships
An Australian Apprenticeship is a fantastic way for young people to kick start their career. They combine paid work with formal study, allowing your child to gain practical experience while earning a nationally recognised qualification. There are three types of Australian Apprenticeships as follows:
- An apprenticeship typically takes 3.5 to 4 years to complete and focus on skilled trades such as construction, mechanics and electrical work.
- A traineeship is usually shorter, taking 1 to 3 years and covers industries like office administration, IT, and hospitality.
- A school-based apprenticeship and traineeship allow students to start training while still in school, potentially reducing the time needed to complete their qualification.
Is an apprenticeship right for your child?
If your child thrives in a hands-on learning environment and wants to start building their career, an apprenticeship could be a great option. Choosing an apprenticeship comes with a range of benefits to set your child up for long-term success. These include:
Apprentices and trainees get paid while gaining hands-on, real world experience and a formal qualification.
Completing an apprenticeship or traineeship provides industry-recognised credentials that open doors to future job opportunities.
Working alongside experienced professionals gives apprentices and trainees valuable skills that can’t be learned in a classroom alone.
More than 95% of apprentices and trainees go on to secure full-time employment; some advance to higher-level roles or even start their own businesses.
Financial assistance is available to help with training costs, tools and cost of living expenses.
Qualifications and career pathways
No matter what your child’s interests or career goals, there’s bound to be a qualification to suit them. Apprenticeships and traineeships are available in over 500 occupations across Australia, offering qualifications from Certificate II to Advanced Diplomas. They cover a wide range of industries from traditional trades, engineering and manufacturing through to media, electronics, tourism, telecommunications, retail and financial services.
Each state has their own list of qualifications available. At each level your child will need to demonstrate specific skills and knowledge across areas such as literacy and numeracy, communication, teamwork, workplace technology, and industry-specific competencies. These foundational skills help ensure they are job-ready and prepared for future career growth.
What will my child be paid?
Your child’s wage will depend on the industrial award they’re paid under and may vary according to their age, how long they have been out of school and the industry in which they are employed.
In addition to wages, the Australian government provides financial support through a range of incentives and funding to help with costs, so your child can focus on their education and training without worrying about the cost of living.
How you can support your child
Beginning an apprenticeship or traineeship and entering the workforce for the first time can be very daunting for a young person. Put yourself in their shoes, they may have never worked before, never seen how a business runs and the only people who have told them what to do are you and their teachers. Here’s how you can help:
Explore
Explore career options together. Our free Skillsroad portal has a career quiz and over 350 career profiles so they can see how well suited they are to different roles.
Commitment
Help them understand the commitment and what’s involved. Apprenticeships typically take 3 to 4 years while traineeships can be completed in 1 to 3 years.
Expectations
Help them learn about financial support and employer expectations so they can make informed choices.
Support
Starting a new job and balancing study with work is exciting, but can also be challenging. Your encouragement and support will be valuable as they navigate their apprenticeship.
How we support your child
As an Apprentice Connect Australia Provider, we are contracted by the government to provide free ongoing guidance and support to both apprentices and their families. We assist with:
- We process applications and government incentive claims, and keep your child informed about payment eligibility.
- Our trained mentors and advisors offer guidance on training-related issues, workplace challenges and career development.
- We provide essential resources on how to successfully start and complete an apprenticeship or traineeship.
- Your child will have access to an innovative online support program featuring videos, webinars, and useful tools to help them succeed.
- Our team stays in touch, offering ongoing advice and assistance whenever it’s needed.
- We also deliver specialist provider services catering to the unique needs of women in trades, First Nations Australian Apprentices, and apprentices in clean energy occupations.
We’re committed to helping your child build a successful career by ensuring they have the right support every step of the way. You can learn more about us, or if you have any questions, our team is always here to help.
Get in touch
Have questions about your child’s apprenticeship journey? We're here to help.