Apprenticeships and Traineeships

AVTES is your expert guide to hospitality apprenticeships and traineeships. We have been working in this field since 1997 and recognised as leaders in innovative, quality, workplace based training.

Our flexibility to meet your business needs means we can help you achieve your training goals faster and easier.

Apprenticeships and Traineeships Made Simple

If you’re like most hospitality business owners and managers, when someone starts talking about apprenticeships and traineeships you tune out.

Sure you’re keen to train your staff, but it all seems too complicated.

Wouldn’t it be great if you knew the basics so you could confidently find and implement training that is relevant and valuable to you?

We’ve outlined all you need to know about apprenticeships and traineeships to make it easy for you to understand how they can work for your business.

Why should you care?

Everyone knows that training is important for any business. But for hospitality businesses, it’s vital. Your staff serve your customers directly, and ultimately ensure your business’ success (or otherwise).

Training is good for your business – it increase skills and knowledge, increases productivity, improves morale, reduces turnover, all helping to increase profitability. 

Accredited training, including apprenticeships and traineeships, can play an integral part in your overall training strategy, because;

1. It is designed to meet industry standards so you can be confident in a consistent outcome.
2. There are Government subsidies and financial incentives available for eligible programs.
3. When done right, it strengthens your in-house training.

What are apprenticeships and traineeships?

Australian Apprenticeships is the official term that refers to both apprenticeships and traineeships. Unfortunately these words are often used interchangeably, which can make it confusing for business owners and their employees.  But there are some similarities and some differences. So we’ve broken it down for you, here’s the basics…

Both apprenticeships and traineeships are;

• Nationally accredited training
• Undertaken by students in employment
• Delivered by a training provider – RTO (private) or TAFE (public)
• Subsidised by the Victorian and/or Commonwealth Government where eligible
• Attract Work Cover exemptions for enrolled students

However, only apprenticeships are;

• Trade qualifications, which carry greater industry recognition
• Attract additional financial incentives for employers of eligible students

Who are they for?

Apprenticeships and traineeships are training that is specifically for students in employment. They are designed to meet your needs as an employer. And to produce job ready employees.

An apprentice or trainee is a student who is undertaking a qualification as part of an apprenticeship or traineeship. Apprenticeships and traineeships are undertaken by students in employment.

The Victorian Government identifies two distinct schemes, they are New Entrant and Existing Employee.

The New Entrant is defined as somebody who has worked for less than 12 months part time, or less than 3 months full time in their current job.

The Existing Employee is defined as somebody who has worked for more than 12 months part time, or more than 3 months full time in their current job.

School Based Apprentices are are able to complete an apprenticeship or traineeship while still at high school. They may also have their training contribute to their VCE ENTER score.

What qualifications are available?

Typically apprenticeships and traineeships are at the Certificate III and IV level. Certificate III is for line staff or base trade qualifications. Certificate IV is for staff in, or moving to, supervisory roles. At AVTES we offer the following;

Apprenticeships

• Certificate III in Hospitality (Restaurant Front of House)
• Certificate III in Commercial Cookery
• Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery

Traineeships

• Certificate III in Hospitality
• Certificate IV in Hospitality

How it works

1. You identify a staff member to undertake training. Then you call an Apprenticeship Support Network Provider to perform the sign up. You nominate your preferred training provider, such as AVTES. For a list of Apprenticeship Support Network Providers visit www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au.
2. The formal training agreement is registered with the State Training Authority. The nominated training provider, such as AVTES, is notified of a new training contract being lodged.
3. The training provider provides the training according to the training contract. AVTES uses a flexible delivery model that combines on and off the job training. Completion of the training program is based on skills and knowledge rather than time limits. This can mean faster completion of traineeships and apprenticeships.
4. The employer or student pays the enrolment fees prior to training commencing. Where eligible, these programs are funded by the Victorian and Commonwealth Government.  The Apprenticeship Support Network Provider pays an incentive to the employer of eligible employees on behalf of the Commonwealth Government. For further information on incentives contact your Apprenticeship Support Network Provider.

Employers also gain WorkSafe exemptions for eligible trainees and apprentices. Click here for further information on WorkSafe exemptions. There is also assistance and bonuses available for apprentices in skill shortage areas and those undertaking a mature age apprenticeship.  Visit http://www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au for more information.

How can you take advantage of these opportunities?

I hope we’ve shown you that apprenticeships and traineeships are great opportunity for businesses and should be a part of your training strategy. If you’re ready to take the next step contact AVTES now.