The most common training pathway in the Manufacturing and Engineering industries is through an apprenticeship or traineeship.
Apprenticeships are the training pathway to trades such as the mechanical (fitting and machining), fabrication or electrical trades. An apprentice is a full-time employee of the company for the duration of the apprenticeship, which is typically four years and normal employment conditions such as sick leave and annual leave apply. The employer, the apprentice and the apprentice's parent or guardian (if the apprentice is under 18 years) sign a legally binding agreement called an "indenture of apprenticeship" after a trial period of employment, usually three months.
The employer is paid an incentive payment for taking on an apprentice and apprentices are paid at rates described in a special award.
The apprentice gains skills working on the job while at the same time usually undergoes off-the-job training with a Registered Training Organisation such as TAFE. Typically an apprentice will work four days a week on the job and for one day a week will attend off-the-job training. Usually the off-the-job training continues for the first three years of the apprenticeship. The qualification for trades is a Certificate III. The Department of Education and Training also issues a Certificate of Proficiency on the successful completion of the apprenticeship.
Traineeships are the training pathway to occupations such as production operator. The trainee also gains skills working on the job while at the same time usually undergoes off-the-job training with a provider such as TAFE. Traineeships typically last for one year but may be longer. As with apprenticeships a contract of training is signed by all parties. Employers of trainees are given an incentive to take on the trainee and special dispensation is made in relation to workers' compensation and payroll taxes. Trainees are paid the Youth Training Wage. The qualification for traineeships may be a Certificate II or Certificate III.
At times during an apprenticeship or traineeship, one or both parties may wish to end the arrangement. The agreement can be annulled by mutual agreement. If the dispute cannot be readily resolved it will be mediated by an officer of the Department of Education and Training and if this is still unsuccessful the Board of Vocational Education and Training will consider the case and may have to make a final ruling which is binding on both parties.
People who complete the Certificate III can gain further training and achieve qualifications such as the Certificate IV, Diploma and Advanced Diploma. Each of these corresponds to higher levels under the training package and in the industrial award. Many people have worked up from the shop floor to management positions in the Manufacturing and Engineering industries.
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