Monash’s tricks of the trade for traineeships and apprenticeships
Published on 01 December 2021
By Alexandra Burke (she/her), 3rd Year ACU, Bachelor of Youth Work student.
When considering future pathways, we can get flustered with opportunities and ideas. For some, the answer is simple, going to university or straight to work. However, just because these are two of the most popular options doesn’t mean that’s what’s right for everyone. There are a wide variety of additional options out there for people who are on the hunt for an alternative, including Traineeships and Apprenticeships.
What are traineeships & apprenticeships?
Traineeships and apprenticeships are two forms of vocational further education, both providing students with theory and practical learning. Students work in the field alongside attending classes 1-2 days a week.
For example:
A traineeship in veterinary nursing would allow you to work in a veterinary clinic, whilst also obtaining your Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing.
Are there pre-requisites?
Traineeships:
- Most are open to all individuals over the age of 14 and 9 months.
- A few courses hold stricter entry requirements based on age and academic competition,
For example:
A traineeship in electronics and communication requires applicants to have completed or hold an equivalent of a year 11 completion, to obtain a Certificate III in Electronics and Communications.
Apprenticeships:
- Open to all individuals over the age of 15 or who have successfully completed or hold an equivalent of year 10 completion.
- School-based apprenticeships can begin from year 10 onwards, a minimum age of 15.
- A select few courses require/prefer a completed pre-apprenticeship.
For example:
An employer in plumbing might ask for you to complete a pre-apprenticeship in plumbing before starting your apprenticeship with them.
How long do they go for?
The timeframe changes between each individual course, however:
- Traineeships range from 6 months to 3 years on average to be completed.
- Apprenticeships range from 2-4 years on average to be completed.
What type of courses are available?
When most of us think about traineeships and apprenticeships we often think about trades such as plumbing, carpentry or bartending, however there is a much larger expanse of job opportunities out there. Some of the courses available include:
Traineeships:
- Business Administration
- Cybersecurity
- Animal Studies
- Veterinary Nursing
- Disability Work
- Tourism
Apprenticeships:
- Butcher
- Pastry Cooking
- Horticulture (Garden cultivation and management)
- Arborist (Tree surgeon)
- Hairdressing
- Variety of Mechanics
How much does it cost?
When considering further education, “a common question is can I afford it?” Well for some of you, there are a lot of free courses currently available, and additional payment supports whilst learning here are some of the options you can explore:
Where do I begin?
If you are still struggling to find a particular course you’re interested in, you can visit websites such as Job Outlook. They have a career quiz you can complete, and a list of varying industries and careers that you can look through at your own pace.
If you want to see what courses are currently available there are two pathways you can go down. The first is search and assess the local schools in your area that provide traineeships and apprenticeships.
A few TAFE schools in the Monash area include:
- Box Hill Institute
- Chisholm
- Holmesglen
- Swinburne
Alternatively, you can search for available traineeships and apprenticeships in your area on job sites, such as Seek. This allows you to see employers straight away and will, in most cases, give you a job whilst you attend school, and provide you with work when the course is completed.
Where else can you learn about traineeships and apprenticeships?
Here are some additional links that might help you on your journey:
- National Careers Institute
- Australian Apprenticeships
- Youth Law Australia
If you’re still struggling with where to begin, you can call our friendly Youth Workers here at Monash Youth Services on 9518 3900.