Apprenticeships

You need to be employed to become an apprentice or trainee.

If you are not yet employed, take a look at the Australian Government Australian Apprenticeships website.

The first step is to contact an Australian Apprenticeships Support Network (AASN) provider who will:

• Help you find an employer and registered training organisation to complete your training
• Provide a training contract for you and your employer to sign
• Assess you for any financial support you might be eligible for
• Provide advice and support to you during your apprenticeship

If Aviation Australia is selected by your employer as the Supervising Registered Training Organisation for your Apprenticeship or Traineeship, we will work with you and your employer to understand your training needs and requirements.

Once enrolled into a qualification, an individual Training Plan will be developed. Training is competency based, which means that the employer and RTO must deem you competent in all components of the training.

During your training, we regularly check in and also visit your workplace to see how your training is going. We’re with you every step of the way!

A training contract is a legally binding contract for the training of an apprentice or trainee. The parties to the training contract are identified as the employer, the apprentice or trainee and the parent/guardian (where applicable).

Each party has a key role to play with some responsibilities for the duration of the apprenticeship/traineeship:

Employer

• deliver training and provide (or arrange to provide) the facilities, range of work and supervision as specified in the Training Plan,
• negotiate a Training Plan with the apprentice/trainee and the registered training organisation,
• pay the wages and provide the appropriate entitlements to the apprentice/trainee,
• at reasonable intervals (of not more than 3 months) check that the training record (Journal of Experience) has been updated by the apprentice,
• allow the apprentice/trainee to participate in off-the-job training as required to complete their Training Plan.

Apprentice/Trainee

• participate in the development of the Training Plan,
• attend and perform work as directed by the employer,
• work towards achieving the competencies in the Training Plan,
• undertake any training or assessment related to the Training Plan,
• hold the training record/s (such as Journal of Experience).

Registered Training Organisation (Aviation Australia)

• provide all relevant parties with information regarding the requirements of the apprenticeship/ traineeship,
• conduct an ‘Employer Resource Assessment’ to verify the employer’s capacity to train the apprentice/trainee,
• negotiate the Training Plan and provide a copy to the apprentice/trainee and employer,
• advise the employer and apprentice/trainee of any costs associated with the training,
• arrange additional learning support if required,
• monitor the Training Plan to ensure progression of apprenticeship/traineeship.

If you have any existing qualifications, industry training and/or experience, evidence can be assessed to determine any recognition that can be applied against the qualification.

Evidence may include:

• Any previous Airworthiness examination results (CAR 31 CASA Basics or CASR Part 66 Basic Knowledge Modules);
• Any non-airworthiness/soft skills theory training completed (i.e. OHS/Environmental/Leadership);
• Any relevant Certificates / Results for previous Aeroskills training.

We will then determine the theory and practical training required.

Once all parties (employer, apprentice/trainee and Aviation Australia) agree that all training and assessment has been successfully completed as required under the Training Plan – then the apprenticeship/traineeship can be deemed as complete. Aviation Australia will notify the appropriate Department of the completion of an apprenticeship/traineeship.

For Diploma level, where all CASA licencing requirements are met (including time in industry); Aviation Australia will submit the required documentation to CASA for the issue of an initial Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Licence. The trainee must then apply to CASA for the Licence; forwarding the required documentation for the application.

Incentives and support is available to apprentices/trainees; this includes benefit from programs such as Living Away from Home Allowance and Trade Support Loans.

Further information can be found on the Australian Apprenticeships website.

There are a range of incentives available from the Australian Government to assist employers to employ and support apprentices and trainees.

These include:

• Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements
• Supporting Apprentices and Trainees (wage subsidy)
• Australian Apprentice Wage Subsidy

Further information for Employers can be found on the Australian Apprenticeships website.

You may also be eligible for specific funding in your state. Take a look at our state based information pages for more information.