Apprenticeship FAQs
Why start an apprenticeship?
- Earn while you learn
- Develop practical skills for life
- Gain a nationally recognised qualification upon completion
- Many opportunities to further your career in the industry once qualified
What's the difference between a GTO and direct employment?
- A Group Training Organisation (GTO) employs apprentices, pays their wages and trade school fees, provides uniforms and PPE, and offers ongoing support throughout the duration of the apprenticeship, with field officers performing regular site visits to host employers and apprentices, to make sure their apprentice is being taken care of and receiving the on-site training necessary to become a great tradie. The GTO also offers support to host employers who “host” apprentices in the workplace.
- A direct employer must be qualified and registered with the government before they can train apprentices. They are responsible for paying wages and trade school fees, supervising on-site, and mentoring/ training their apprentice with practical on-the-job guidance.
What school subjects will help t o set me up for a successful SBA?
- Maths - All trade pathways use an element of mathematics, some more than others.
- English - Good reading, writing and verbal skills will assist with analysing site plans and effective communication on site with other contractors and building managers/ supervisors.
- Physics - Useful for engineering and electro technology-based trades
What are the minimum requirements?
- White Card
- Driver's License
- Cert II Pre-Employment Course
- Work Experience
- Good attitude, willingness to learn
Can females learn a trade?
Absolutely! Apprentices who work hard, listen to instructions and use initiative will set themselves up for a successful career in construction, regardless of their gender.
How long does an apprenticeship take to complete?
4 years for most apprenticeships, unless signed off early (must be agreed by employer).
How old is mature age?
21 years old.
Can I still finish my SACE and start a SBA?
Yes! Trade school theory modules count towards SACE credits (this also includes cert II courses). Talk with your school career advisor/ CITB for more details.
How can I better my chances for a successful apprenticeship?
Do your research to ensure your chosen trade is the best fit for you. Talk to as many people in that trade that you can and ask questions! (What does a typical day involve? What general tasks are involved? What tools do you use? How many hours will I be required to work on any given week?) This will give you a better understanding of what it’s like on the job, and what the role entails. It’s important to be prepared so you know what you and your employer are about to commit to.
Do some work experience so you have realistic expectations of your apprenticeship and your chosen trade.
Who is involved?
- Apprentice
- Employer (Group Training Organisation or direct)
- AASN (Australian Apprenticeship Service Network) who completes the official paperwork to ensure the apprentice gets their nationally recognised qualification upon completion, and also offers personalised advice and support services throughout the duration of an apprenticeship.
- CITB (Construction Industry Training Board) Once you have signed an employee contract with an employer in the construction industry you are eligible to apply for a CITB number, which gives you access to training fee subsidies and other initiatives depending on eligibility criteria.
What is a school based apprenticeship (SBA)?
- A part time work/ study arrangement between a school student, their school and an employer. Apprentices will earn a wage, train onsite with an industry employer, and work towards an accredited qualification while undertaking South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) at their school.
Minimum age level to start an apprenticeship?
- Apprenticeship= 15 BUT a driver’s licence is preferred by most employers in construction, due to the nature of work often occurring on multiple sites
- SBA= Year 11. Parents/ guardian must sign, and school must also agree to release their students for work/ trade school days
I’m 16 and don’t have my licence or a car. Is this really a requirement, or can my parents drop me off and pick me up every day?
Although parents can be super supportive, the building and construction industry sometimes requires a lot of flexibility in terms of logistics and commuting between jobs. Imagine working on several different job sites on any given day with your tools… aside from testing your parent’s patience, your employer probably won’t be impressed waiting for your parent or public transport to get you from site to site!
On larger scale commercial sites, some employers may guarantee their workers will remain on the same site for a long period of time, as well as a large tool box to keep tools secure overnight. This would be a case by case scenario, however generally speaking, most industry employers prefer applicants to have a licence (minimum P plates) and a mode of transport (car, van, ute).
How much does it cost to do an apprenticeship?
Nothing! You are paid to work and learn at trade school.
How much will I earn as an apprentice?
It depends on the trade and your employer. As an unskilled worker you will earn a portion of a fully qualified tradie’s wage. As you progress to 2nd, 3rd and 4th year your salary will increase.
Mature age apprentice wages are slightly higher but remain the same throughout the duration of their apprenticeship.
What skills do I need to be a good apprentice?
- A good attitude
- Punctuality
- Team work
- Communication skills- listen carefully and ask questions if you don’t understand the instruction
- A good work ethic- pay attention and use your initiative
- Be prepared- a lot of tasks can be physically demanding. Research your trade of choice and do some work experience so you know what the role involves