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Traineeships

What is a traineeship?

A traineeship is structured on-the-job training. Traineeships are focused in vocational areas which can provide students and businesses with different training options. Traineeships combine work-based, practical training with an employer and formal training through a Registered Training Organisation. Traineeships are established under training contracts between the employer and the trainee and are regulated by the government. For students, they're a great way to be paid for work, learn and earn a qualification. For businesses they are a great way to upskill their employees.

A Traineeship is a partnership between 4 parties:

  • Employer
  • Trainee
  • Registered Training Organisation [UOW College]
  • Apprenticeship Network provider

Types of traineeships

  • New Entrant Traineeships [employed less than 3 months]. All New Entrant Traineeships are subsidised under NSW Smart and Skilled funding
  • Existing Workers Traineeships – [employed more than 3 months]. Existing Workers Traineeships may be partly subsidised under NSW Smart & Skilled funding depending on the course selected 

UOW College traineeship course offerings

How does a traineeship work?

The formal aspect of the training program is delivered by the RTO [UOW College]. UOW College can tailor the training package to suit an organisations specific need. Upon completing a Traineeship the student will gain a nationally recognised qualification. Traineeships in NSW are administered under the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act 2001. Once the course is identified, student, employee and RTO need to sign a training contract, which is done through a Government contractor - Apprenticeship Network Provider [ANP]. Once the training contract has been approved by Training Services NSW, the employer and trainee will be sent a letter of approval confirming the traineeship arrangement.

Delivery of traineeships

UOW College will facilitate the delivery of the structured theoretical component of the traineeship. The trainee will be issued with a formal training plan which specifies the required training. The practical component is learnt on the job. Trainees will have regular contact with their Trainer as well as ongoing support via email or phone. Generally, our Trainers will come into the workplace once a month, set tasks that need to be achieved and check on progress. UOW College will regularly report on the progress of the Trainee to their employer and ensure both parties are satisfied with the progression of the traineeship. Studying with UOW College allows students access to all facilities the University of Wollongong has to offer, including the library, academic support and counselling services. Students can come onto campus and use these facilities as well as join in any face to face classes relevant to their study if required.

Who can apply for a traineeship?

Trainees can be any age. Anyone employed in a new job [less than 3 months] qualifies for the New Entrant Traineeship. In some industries existing employees may be eligible to undertake a traineeship. To be eligible for a New Entrant Traineeship a student must satisfy the following criteria:

  • Be an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident
  • Have worked for less than 3 months full time or 12 months part time with their current employer 

Combine work with structured training

A traineeship is full-time or part-time employment that combines work with your employer and structured training which is provided by a Registered Training Organisation [UOW College]. A traineeship is a great way to develop your skills, gain hands on experience in your chosen field and usually lasts one to two years. UOW College can provide you with a training program that matches your industry and employer’s specific needs.

Benefits of a traineeship

  • Gain a nationally recognised qualification
  • Get hands on, practical work experience
  • Opportunity to put theory into practice
  • Earn while you learn
  • Ability to accelerate and finish early if you complete all competency units early
  • Make connections and increase your employability in your chosen industry
  • Access to all UOW campus facilities including all support services
  • Your employer will allow you time on the job to complete your theoretical assessments

How long are courses? Can they be full time or part time?

The length of the course depends on your chosen course and/or industry. There are full-time or part-time options available and in general courses take 1-2 years to complete. Upon successful completion of your traineeship, you will receive the full qualification which is nationally recognised.

What are the costs involved?

Traineeships are fully funded by the NSW Government. There may be an out of pocket expense of $1000 to either the employer or trainee. This fee is tax deductable.

What do you need to do next? 

  • Decide what Traineeship you would like to do
  • Find an employer in your chosen industry that will take you on as a Trainee
  • Select UOW College as you Training Provider
  • Your employer will contact their nearest Apprenticeship Network Provider [APN]
  • A Traineeship is established and training contracts are signed between employer, trainee and UOW College
  • Start your Traineeship 

Develop & upskill your workforce

Traineeships are a great way of developing new workers as well as upskilling your existing workforce. As a business, you can take on new workers as trainees [New Entrant Trainees] who are employed less than 3 months under a Smart & Skilled Subsidised fee or develop existing workers [Existing Workers Traineeship]. The employer contribution under the Smart & Skilled subsidy is no more than $1000 for New Entrant Trainees. For existing worker traineeships, please contact your ANP to check for funding from the Australian government.

UOW College can provide individually tailored training packages to suit the business as well as the trainee. Throughout the duration of the traineeship UOW College facilitates the delivery and monitors the progress of the Trainee.

Benefits of employing a trainee

  • Enrich and train workers and new employees
  • Help in developing productive workers over a short period of time
  • Give recognition and build on the skills that current employees have
  • Upskill your employees to reflect the changing labour environment
  • Develop a professional development culture and motivated employees
  • Attract motivated new employees and gain fresh perspectives
  • Increase employee satisfaction
  • Access the latest knowledge and skills
  • Choose the skills you'd like to develop in your employees [UOW College provides tailored training packages to suit your organisations needs]
  • Government regulated
  • Achieve a highly trained workforce

How long is a traineeship?

The length of the traineeship depends on the chosen course and | or industry. There are full-time or part-time options available to trainees. In general a traineeship takes 1-2 years to complete. Upon successful completion, you will have a highly skilled, fully qualified employee.

What are the costs involved?

  • Traineeships are fully funded by the NSW Government bur there may be a maximum out of pocket expense of $1000. Check with the ANP regarding the eligibility of incentive payments form the Australian Government.This fee is tax deductible.

What the next step?

  • Identify employees eligible for an Existing Worker Traineeship or employ new workers and sign them up as New Entrant Trainees
  • Employer and Trainee complete and sign the Training Contract with the assistance of the Apprenticeship Network Provider [ANP]. ANP’s are funded by the Australian Government and their service is FREE to employers
  • UOW College will prepare the Training plan in conjunction with the employer
  • The Training Plan will be checked by the ANP who subsequently submits the proposed Training Plan to Training Services NSW
  • Once the Training plan is approved, the trainee must enrol with UOW College
  • Training Services NSW will issue the employer and trainee with a letter of approval
  • Check with the ANP regarding the eligibility of incentive payments form the Australian Government
  • Trainee will commence their traineeship

Contact us

1300 885 395 uowc-vocational@uow.edu.au