Learn on the job and through a Registered Training Organisation (RTO)
To complete your apprenticeship or traineeship, you must:
- learn practical skills on the job from experienced people, and
- complete structured training through an RTO
RTOs include:
- TAFEs
- private training providers
- industry or professional associations
- some schools and universities
- community and not-for-profit training providers
Your probation period
The probation period gives you and your employer a chance to decide if your placement is a good fit.
- it usually lasts between 30 and 90 days from the start of your training contract
- check your contract or ask your ACAP to confirm the exact length
- you or your employer can cancel the training contract during this time if it’s not working out
- the probation period only applies to your training contract, not to any other work trials or employment arrangements
Your responsibilities as an apprentice or trainee
Your first steps
- sign a training contract with your employer when you start your apprenticeship or traineeship (if you are under 18 years of age, a parent or guardian must also sign it)
- enrol with an RTO (including TAFE institutes) within 3 months of starting, or as advised by your RTO
- keep a copy of the training plan to understand how and when your training will happen (on and off the job)
- know that you can progress based on your skills, not a set timeline
Ongoing responsibilities
As an apprentice or trainee, you must:
- act professionally and politely
- always respect others' rights
- take care of tools, equipment and property at your workplace
- keep workplace information confidential
- work hard to meet the competencies in your training plan
- complete all assessments
- attend training sessions and supervised workplace activities
- make the most of learning opportunities to build your skills
Your employer’s responsibilities
Your employer must:
- contact an Apprentice Connect Australia Provider within 14 days of you starting, who will assist you and your employer to sign a training contract (if you are under 18 years of age, a parent or guardian must also sign it)
- enrol you with an RTO (including TAFE institutes) in the correct qualification within 3 months of starting, and let you know if it’s going to take longer
- provide you with at least 13 hours of work and training per week
- allow time off for training with the RTO
- ensure you are supervised by skilled staff who can provide safe, quality on-the-job training
- provide you with work that is relevant to your qualification
- supply the tools, equipment and facilities needed for your training
- work with your RTO to follow the training plan and support your progress
- pay you correctly under the modern award or enterprise agreement that applies to you
- pay you super
- provide you with regular payslips
- keep you safe and support your health and wellbeing at work
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