Why apprenticeships are a great way to kick-start your career

If you're just about to start your career, the choice can be a bit overwhelming and you might find it difficult to decide between going to uni or starting an apprenticeship.

There are heaps of benefits to undertaking an apprenticeship or traineeship so see for yourself:

 

You earn while you learn

Apprenticeships and traineeships combine paid work with training, meaning you earn money while completing your qualification.
You can also benefit from the federal government’s Trade Support Loans , which provide up to $20,000 over the four years. These loans are designed to assist apprentices with the costs of completing their training, and, like HELP loans for VET and uni students, are repaid through the taxation system.

Get paid for what you love

Most importantly, you will also benefit from working in an area of interest and have the opportunity to gain the skills and knowledge needed for your chosen occupation in a real-world, practical setting. If you already have an interest in cars then it can be a quite exciting step to make that hobby your career. Work is a lot more fun and much easier to commit to when you're doing something you are passionate about, so bear that in mind when choosing your career path.

Choose from a wide variety of fields

There are more than 20 different apprenticeships and traineeships within the automotive industry. Whether you want to go the traditional route of a car mechanic apprenticeship or do something a little 'out of the box' - there's surely something for everyone. Apprenticeships allow students to become qualified in a skilled trade, while traineeships offer vocational training in a range of different fields.
 

Training is flexible

Apprenticeships and traineeships can be completed full time or part time and there is no set period of time allocated to training. Instead, training is competency-based, meaning you finish your training once you have reached a certain skill level. Apprenticeships usually take between three to four years to complete; traineeships, on the other hand, usually last anywhere between six months and three years.

Get a nationally recognised qualification

In addition to practical work experience, apprentices and trainees also work towards gaining a nationally recognised VET qualification. This training is delivered at a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), such as a TAFE institute or private college. This qualification will allow you to work anywhere in Australia once you've graduated, or might even open you the doors to working overseas if you wanted to!

 

If you're keen to find out more or are ready to apply for an apprenticeship, just visit our jobs board.