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Pathways - Careers

Careers

How To Secure An Apprenticeship or Traineeship

HOW TO SECURE AN APPRENTICESHIP OR TRAINEESHIP 

Job hunting, whether for apprenticeships and traineeships or any other job, uses the same steps. There is no one single place listing all apprenticeship and traineeship jobs.

Australian Apprenticeships start with an employer deciding to recruit staff using the specific approach to employing and training employees.

If an employer is looking for new staff they often advertise online or in local or major newspapers.

But another avenue to employers can be to approach them directly.  Tools such as search engines or directories such as the Yellow Pages can provide ways of identifying employers by industry and location. This information can be used to develop a list of employers that may employ specific occupations or skills. 

Using personal networks can also be an effective way of finding employers, as well as getting in contact with organisations that regularly interact with employers.  These include Apprenticeship Network providers, Group Training Organisations and Registered Training Organisations.

These methods of 'hunting' for employers demonstrate motivation and determination, as well as having the potential to by-pass queues of applicants for advertised positions. 

Discover what Apprenticeship/Traineeship you want

Before applying for jobs, the first step should always be identifying the industry or ccupation of most interest to you and making this the target of your job hunting efforts.

How can I decide which industry or trade I should be looking at. The link below to the Work Type Explorer and the Career Interest Explorer below can help identify your interests.

Apprenticeships and traineeships can be found in nearly 50 industries. Accessing the website below will enable you to research these industries and get to know which occupations you should  focus your efforts and be more certain that a particular direction is right for you. The link leads to ‘Job & Training Descriptions’ where apprenticeships and traineeships can be searched by location and industry group, while also providing information about how long the Australian Apprenticeship usually takes to complete
This step applies whether job hunters are looking for their first job or changing careers. Use this link -  

Research Industries

Once you know what road you want to take you need to find someone who will give you a chance to get started.                                                             

  Job hunting involves checking out the regular places jobs are advertised as well as looking for the 'hidden' job market where job information is circulated through employers' networks. Another strategy is to approach employers directly. This is a positive and very successful method to hunt for jobs as it demonstrates a job hunters motivation and his/her ability to find solutions to a problem. (Read about the strategies for directly approaching employers below)

For a 'Step by Step' guide on how to find employment as an apprentice/trainee go to this link or follow the summary provided below.                                                                 

Steps to Employment

JOB HUNTING - SUMMARY

Did you know that most job openings are not advertised?

This is commonly referred to as the ‘hidden’ job market.
Youth Central has some great tips and hints on tapping into the Hidden Job Market.

visit Youth Central

·The 'Hidden' Job Market

The hidden job market refers to the many job vacancies out there that are not advertised.

Information about available work is circulated through employers’ networks, co-workers, business associates, friends and acquaintances.

Researching and connecting with these networks is important when looking for an apprenticeship or traineeship.

If job hunters are only looking for jobs on job search sites they could be missing out on a range of job opportunities and hence limiting the chances of a successful outcome.

Finding hidden opportunities takes some work so job hunters must have a specific industry or occupation in mind so they can target their efforts. The best approaches include:

a) establishing and using networks such as family and friends or current and previous employers or work colleagues- Let your extended family know you are looking for an apprenticeship or traineeship in … whatever your choose…..and ask them to ask their friends if they know of anything or anyone offering apprenticeships etc. You may be lucky to find someone you know who will give you a chance.

b) direct contact with employers in the specific industry you are interested in.

Start by researching major employers and then look over their website to see any careers information provided. Looking at past, and of course present, job vacancies indicates the type of skills the company is looking for, whether they employ at a particular time of the year and they may give some idea about their application process.

Job hunters can call the employer to ask about the skills they recruit, if they use apprenticeships and traineeships, when they recruit and if you could provide an application for future positions.

What are Networks and how to make the most of these.   

  Why do I need a Network - Many jobs are in the hidden job market, positions that employers hope to fill through personal contacts or even by people who approach them directly.

If you're job hunting, the people you know can help connect you with employers. Each person helps form a broad network using their own knowledge, experience and contacts to help you. 

Who Should be in my Network - Chances are you already have a network. At its centre are the people closest to you, your family and friends including your social media contacts.

Your network can also include your acquaintances, everyone you know socially. The minute you ask an acquaintance if he or she has heard about a job opening, you are making that person part of your network.

Here are some people to consider:

  • neighbours and family friends;
  • employers and co-workers;
  • club members;
  • teammates and classmates;
  • teachers and coaches;
  • community leaders.

How do I use my Network - Let people around you know about the industry or occupations that interest you and ask them for any employer contacts they may have and to be alert to any opportunities that may come up.

Keep having conversations with people to let them know you're still job hunting, and put yourself in situations where you can meet new people. Keep researching sources of information that may provide lists of employers, such as industry associations.

  • Researching Potential Employers

Use the Yellow Pages directory or a search engine such as Google to find local employers who may be interested in employing your targeted apprenticeship or traineeship job.

Make a list of these employers, including contact details such as their address, phone number and website.

For example, here are useful search terms for some specific industries:

  • Aircraft maintenance and repair - airlines, aeronautical 
  • Animal care - veterinary clinic, animal shelter or animal welfare agencies, pet grooming
  • Childcare - child care centres, after school care centres
  • Train or locomotive driving - local train or rail providers

Start by looking over an employer's website before you make contact. The site may provide valuable information about the employer's industry and how they recruit. Looking at past, and of course present, job vacancies indicates the type of skills the company is looking for, whether the employer recruits at a particular time of the year and it may give some idea about the employer's application process.                               

·Contacting employers

When applying for an apprenticeship or traineeship with an employer who does not have a position listed on their website, it is best to contact them directly by phone and ask to speak to the person responsible for hiring new staff.
If they are not available ask for the person's name, job title and email address, and contact them through email.

TIPS ON APPROACHING EMPLOYERS

·How Group Training Organisations (GTO) can help you

Group Training Organisation’s (GTO’s) employ Australian Apprentices and hire them to other businesses, called host employers, while they are undertaking their training.

There are a number of GTO’s in every State and Territory. Some hire apprentices or trainees in all industries, while some may only hire for specific industries. . You can be rotated around different jobs in one big host organisation like BHP or government or you can be rotated around a number of small employers to help you to get experience across the industry.

You can find a Group Training Organisation near you by checking HERE .

  • Group Training Organisations have job boards where they advertise apprenticeship and traineeship opportunities.
  • The Group Training Organisation will:
  • Provide mentor support to job seekers.
  • Select which applicant to employ for each position.
  • Place them with host employers.
  • Pay the wages, any allowances, superannuation, holiday pay etc.
  • Make sure good quality training is happening, both on the job and off the job at TAFE.
  • Care for apprentices/trainees and host employers.

                                                                                        

search for a GTO                                                                                                      

·Look for jobs advertised on job sites

There is a wide range of national, local and industry specialist job search websites where you can look for an apprenticeship or traineeship. They are the most popular places online for job vacancies to be advertised. They're easy to use - just type in the name of a job or skill and a list of current job vacancies will show up.

You can also refine your search results by specifying things like whether you're looking for full-time, part-time or casual work, where you want to work, or what salary you're looking for.

LIST OF JOB SITES                     

Searching Tips for job -  Here are a few tips for making the most of your online job searches:

  • Use lots of different sites - Don't limit your searches to one job search site. The more sites you use, the more likely it is you'll find a job (for links to some job search sites, check out the links at the bottom of this page).
  • Use job alerts - Set up some favourite searches to email you any new job vacancies that fit your areas of interest - see the tip below about creating a jobseeker profile for more.
  • Use a range of search terms - If you find a job you like the look of, check out the words used in that ad, then use those words for another search. You might turn up more of the kind of jobs you're after.
  • Apply as soon as you can - Most recruiters start shortlisting within a week of advertising a job. The sooner you apply, the better your chances are.

·Create a jobseeker profile –  Instead of advertising, sometimes employers look at resumes uploaded to job search and professional networking sites. Creating a jobseeker profile and uploading your resume can increase your chances of finding work.

You can also use your jobseeker profile to set up job alerts that email you about new job vacancies that match your interests. Jobseeker profiles can be created on professional networking sites, or on most of the larger job search websites. It's a good idea to create a profile on more than one site. This increases your chances of being spotted by an employer. It also means you'll get emailed more often about more job vacancies.

·Visit recruitment agency websites -  Recruitment agencies work on behalf employers to find and shortlist job applicants. Most recruitment agencies have their own websites that list job vacancies and allow you to set up a jobseeker profile or search for available jobs. When you find a job on a job search website, check if it's been placed by the employer or a recruitment agency. If it's been placed by a recruitment agency, note down the name and visit the agency's website to see other jobs they have listed.

Some recruitment agencies specialise in particular kinds of jobs. Knowing which recruiters specialise in areas you're interested in makes it easier to find jobs in that area.

Having a solid resume and cover letter is a vital part of job hunting.

There is some work in preparing a resume and a covering letter, but as they are closely read by employers it is worth putting in the effort to make them relevant and accurate. Job interviewing also needs some preparation so you make a good impression.

The Link to Resumes and Cover Letters below has lots of tips and resources to get you on your way.

Resumes and Cover Letters    The Application and Interview

Watch - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5V7TVYiVas  - for tips on interview techniques

What is a sign up?

Every Australian Apprentice must be signed up into a formal training contract as soon as they are employed.
This ensures that all parties are aware of their responsibilities and understand what it means to commence an Australian Apprenticeship.
Once signed up, the employer can then pay apprentice or trainee wages and the Australian Apprentice can be enrolled into the appropriate course with a training provider.
To organise a sign up, the employer will need to contact an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network provider, also known as an Apprenticeship Network provider.

Search for an Apprenticeship Network provider - Organise for an Apprenticeship Network provider to come out to your workplace to conduct the sign up.

Search

·     Things to remember...

If you are under the age of 18 you will need to have a parent or guardian sign the training contract.

Make sure you let the Apprenticeship Network provider know of any previous qualifications you have completed.

Keep a copy of your training contract in a safe place and make sure you get the contact details of the Apprenticeship Network provider as this will come in handy if you have any questions throughout your Australian Apprenticeship.  It's a good idea to take a photo of your copy and back up the file to a safe place.

·     I've started my apprenticeship or traineeship, now what?

After commencing your apprenticeship or traineeship it's still very important to be aware of your obligations, and those of your employer.
Have look at the 'Post Recruitment' page for further information.

Post Recruitment

The information presented above comes from the Australian Apprenticeship Pathways 

Career Advice - Australian Government

Please visit the link below to see the latest Career advice released from the Australian Government

https://www.yourcareer.gov.au

Year 12 - What Next?

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Not sure what to do next

This is a simple summary of the support and main choices available to school leavers in WA which may help you with your decision making.
Click and download the word document below to find out more.

Find Your Course!

 

For Information about courses across Australia, visit Course Seeker

 

To research, Careers visit MyFuture

 

Demand for jobs in different industries visit Job Outlook

Career Resources and Info

Meet the Pathways Team

Head of Career Development
 

Cosi Schirripa

Study Tips for Students

Our school’s subscription details to this online study skills website for secondary school students are –

www.studyskillshandbook.com.au

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