Apprenticeships and traineeships
Apprenticeships and traineeships provide a combination of employment and structured training.
An apprentice or trainee is contracted to an employer for a nominal period of time enabling them to successfully gain competence in a trade (apprenticeship) or vocational area (traineeship).
Tropical North Queensland Institute of TAFE is the first-choice training provider for hundreds of far north Queensland businesses, industries and organisations that employ apprentices and trainees. The institute offers nationally recognised, competency-based training.
The apprenticeship and traineeship system in Queensland is administered by the Queensland Department of Education, Training and the Arts, and regulated by the Vocational Education, Training and Employment Act 2000. The department works closely with new apprenticeships centres, registered training organisations and group training organisations to ensure apprentices and trainees achieve successful outcomes.
As an employer, apprenticeships and traineeships are a great way to recruit staff and train employees. Find out about employing an apprentice or trainee.
Learn about school-based apprenticeships, getting started, pay conditions, rights and more by visiting the Department of Education, Training and the Arts and Apprenticeships Info websites.
Important information
Tropical North Queensland Institute of TAFE does not place apprentices or trainees with employers. For more information on how to find an employer, visit the Australian Apprenticeships website.
Become an apprentice or trainee
Thinking about your future? Apprenticeships and traineeships offer a great way to find secure employment and earn money while training for a career in a trade or vocational area of interest.
Apprenticeships are generally long term contracts of 3 to 4 years in trade areas such as automotive, hairdressing and electrical.
Traineeships are shorter term contracts of 6 to 12 months and encompass training in vocational skills in areas including business, community services, hospitality and tourism.
You can secure apprenticeships or traineeships in areas including:
Aquaculture
Aged Care
Automotive
Business
Childcare
Community Recreation
Construction
Electrical
Engineering
Hairdressing
Hospitality
Information Technology
Marine
Plumbing and Gas Fitting
Rural and Horticulture
Youth Work
Pre-apprenticeships
Pre-apprenticeship programs provide students with the basic skills and knowledge needed to work in an industry setting. Successful completion of pre-apprenticeship training can greatly increase the chances of gaining an apprenticeship in a chosen field.
These programs are highly regarded by employers, who can be confident of the level of knowledge, skills and task awareness of apprentices. Some pre-apprenticeship programs may give credit towards the first year of an apprenticeship, possibly shortening the overall training period.
Tropical North Queensland Institute of TAFE offers pre-apprenticeship programs in areas including:
Hairdressing
Automotive
Engineering
Diesel Fitting
Electrical
Refrigeration
Secondary students may also wish to consider TAFE Secondary (TAFESEC) programs. Training under this scheme leads to recognised VET qualifications which can be credited towards apprenticeships, traineeships, higher level qualifications or university.
For comprehensive information on these and other programs, please refer to the Program and course search page.
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