Study and Career Options

Australian Apprenticeships and Traineeships & Group Training Organisations

Australian Apprenticeships are the best way to combine training and employment and lead to a nationally recognised qualification.

Apprenticeships and traineeships are jobs that combine paid work and structured training. They involve paid employment under an appropriate industrial arrangement (for example, an award or enterprise agreement) and nationally recognised training.

Australian Apprenticeships are available to anyone of working age and do not require any entry qualifications. You can be a school-leaver, re-entering the workforce or simply wishing to change careers.

Australian Apprenticeships offer:

• great way to get a head start in a chosen career
• paid work and structured training that can be on-the-job, off-the-job or a combination of both
• ‘competency based’ which means you can complete your training faster if you reach the required skills level
• existing skills and prior experience are recognised and course credit granted, potentially reducing formal training time. Available as full-time or part-time, also available part-time in many schools.
• pathways to nationally recognised qualifications and skills which provide the basis for further education and training over the course of your working life
• a pathway from school to work.

What is Group Training?

A group training organisation employs apprentices and trainees. The apprentice or trainee is employed under a training contract with the GTO, who then places them with a host employer. The apprentice or trainee is the employee of the GTO but works on a daily basis for the "host" employer.

The GTO may rotate the apprentice or trainee through a number of host employers to receive the on-the-job training component of their training.

SBAT – School Based Apprenticeships & Traineeships

So what are they? How can my child get involved? What courses are available? Who do I talk to?

School based Apprenticeships and Traineeships are more than just your average part time jobs, in fact there a great start and way to set your child up for their career and while they are still studying at school and completing their HSC.

School Based Apprenticeships & Traineeships are available to all year 10, 11 and 12 High School students in NSW. These allow students to start an apprenticeship and or complete a traineeship, before leaving school and entering the workforce.

Students receive payment for their apprenticeship or traineeship while at school as well as receiving an industry recognised national qualification while at school.

To find out if your child can complete a School Based Apprenticeship OR Traineeship at school contact your school’s Career Adviser to see what they offer to students.

To find out more on how your child can start either an Apprenticeship OR Traineeship while at school, please follow the link http://www.sbatinnsw.info/index.php

Gap Year

A gap year is the year between finishing school and starting further study or training. It’s also known as ‘Year 13’ or taking a ‘Big Year Off’. If you’re not sure what to do at the end of Year 12 you might like to take a gap year.

Why should I take a gap year?

Here are some reasons you might choose to take a gap year:

• If you’re not sure what you want to do in the future
• If you don’t get into the course you really want to do
• If you want to take a break from studying
• If you want to gain skills and experience to get into a course
• If you want to make some money before going to uni/TAFE

What can I do in my gap year?

There are plenty of things that you can do with yourself during a gap year. Whether you want to improve your job prospects or get some experience that's relevant to what you'll be studying, or even if you just want a break, here's some ideas to consider.

Travel

This could be your chance to take that round-the-world trip you’ve always dreamed of. Visiting other countries and seeing how other people live is a life-changing experience. Just keep in mind that a year-long holiday might be frowned upon by future employers. If you need to explain what you were doing that year, try to describe it in terms of gaining experience and developing new skills (if you can).

To get the most out of your travel experience you could spend some time working abroad as well as doing the tourist thing. Or maybe you’d like to try student exchange and experience life with a host family.

Work

Work placements can give you valuable skills and experience. A combination of formal study and on-the-job training looks really good on your resume.

If you want to do a degree in fine arts you might first do a short course and then spend some time creating pieces for your folio. If you want to make it big in business you could organise work experience with some successful companies.

Volunteer

Volunteering is a great way for you to learn new skills while making a positive contribution to the community. You’ll be surprised at how many different volunteering options there are. You can volunteer on projects close to home or on the other side of the world. You can volunteer by yourself or as part of a team and there are both short-term and long-term placements available.

Picture yourself building homes in Vietnam or preserving Amazon rainforest in Ecuador. Or maybe you’d like to run after-school activities for indigenous children in Central Australia.

How can I find out more?

You can plan your own gap year or you can join an organised gap year program. Check out these websites for more info on working holidays and volunteering opportunities.

Education & Training

University

As a parent, you will have doubts and questions about the next stage in their lives.

What career will they choose? What course suits them best? How can I help them?

University covers a much wider range of subjects than in secondary school and with each course your child may be able to select a specialised subject known as a ‘Major’ or electives as well. A University Degree is a prerequisite for many career paths and lifelong professions. University can be an exciting experience and a great way to ensure that they will end up getting a career in their interest. This will then give them the opportunity to focus on the subjects and areas that are of most interest to them. University is quite different to High School, for students are expected to take a proactive role in their education than they may of at High School.

To find out more about what University can offer for your child, follow the link www.gooduniguide.com.au

TAFE and College

There is a wide range of study options available to you at TAFE NSW. Taking some time to think about your education and career goals can help you take the next step to finding the right course or pathway of study for you.