Careers Corner
Why You Should Consider a Job in the Skilled Trades
Trade careers have undergone a massive transformation over the past 10 years. No longer are trade careers considered to be a last resort or a fallback position for students who are not academic. Trade careers are very highly considered and there is currently a desperate shortage of qualified trades professionals.
The most popular areas are in:
- Electrotechnology (Electricians)
- Plumbing and Building
- Motor Mechanics
- Carpentry
- Bricklaying
- Landscaping
- Concreting
- Plastering
- Tiling
Most students entering these areas are completing Pre-apprenticeships at TAFE.
What are Pre-apprenticeships?
A pre-apprenticeship (or pre-app) is your introduction – kind of like walking up to a window and actually seeing what your future career could look like. It helps you learn fundamental skills without the commitment of longer training. That way you can decide whether an apprenticeship is something you will then want to pursue.
A pre-app is also perfect if you already know you want to get an apprenticeship. Because you’ll already know some job basics you’ll be more appealing to future employers, making it easier to get an apprenticeship. Plus, your future boss will be reassured that you know what you’re getting yourself into and that you actually want to work in the industry.
Usually, you will get a certificate II level qualification after completing your pre-app, and this can take anywhere from 12 to 20 weeks (but much shorter than other qualifications).
Also, you don’t need an employer to study at this level, with a lot of pre-apps able to be completed as part of your VCE or VCE Vocational Major studies.
Additionally, a number of pre-apprenticeships are classified as Free TAFE courses so if you’re eligible, you can study fee-free.
What are Apprenticeships?
Apprenticeships are a three-sided agreement between you, your employer and a training organisation. That means you have to find a job as an apprentice and sign a training contract with them before you start study.
The study part of an apprenticeship can work a number of ways including blended delivery (workshop, on-site or online). Two common ways are:
- You come to TAFE one day per week and work the other days, and
- You come to TAFE for a set amount of weeks straight and then work the rest of the time until you come to TAFE again for another block of weeks.
An apprenticeship is competency-based, not graded. You will be signed off as either successfully or unsuccessfully being able to complete a task.
Once you complete your apprenticeship, you will hold a nationally recognised qualification. Afterwards, you can go straight into industry, upskill with further training or look into other roles, such as managerial or supervisory titles.
The best part about an apprenticeship though? You’ll get paid to work while you’re studying.
School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SBATs) What is a SBAT?
SBATs offer students the ability to undertake an Apprenticeship or Traineeship while completing their VCE/VCAL in secondary school.
A SBAT is designed to incorporate part-time practical experience in the workplace and recognised structured training with an RTO. Contribution to VCAL/VCE like VET Program offerings, the vocational training components of SBATs may also contribute credit towards a senior secondary certificate.
VCE: May accrue credit in the following ways:
- The student will receive credit determined by the Victorian Curriculum Assessment Authority (VCAA) within the VCE Unit 1 – 4 credit structure. Typically, students completing a qualification with a 360 nominal hour duration would receive Units 1 – 4 towards the VCE.
- All other qualifications at Certificate II or above provide credit based on one VCE unit for each 90 hours of completed Units of Competency (UOCs).
- UOCs at AQF level II provide credit at VCE Unit 1 and 2 level and UOCs at AQF level III or above provide credit at VCE Unit 3 and 4 level.
VCAL: Receive one unit of credit for each 90 hours of completed UOCs. The credit will relate to the Industry Skills and Work-Related Skills strands. A student completing a qualification with 450 nominal hours will receive five credits towards their VCAL.
ATAR: Students undertaking an SBAT would typically not undertake scored assessment in their SBAT qualification. Contribution towards the ATAR would be as a consequence of them achieving a Unit 3 and 4 sequence from their SBAT, which may provide a 10%, 5th or 6th study increment. Students wishing to access a study score from their SBAT qualification would need to complete Units 3 and 4 from the VCE/ VET scored program as a separate enrolment to their SBAT.
Employment Requirements Students undertaking an SBAT require part-time employment as a component of their studies, this should take place for one full day per week. Students will be supported by the RTOs to source employers.
5 Perks of Doing a Trade Apprenticeship that Make It So Worth While
Is an apprenticeship worth it?
Are you wondering whether an apprenticeship is worth it?
If so, you’ve come to the right place. If you want to start earning money and get a certificate at the same time, then doing an apprenticeship is a great option. Here we explore the top 5 benefits of apprenticeships in the building and construction industry.
Perk #1: On-the-job learning
There are so many benefits of apprenticeships, but on-the-job learning has to be one of the top 5. If sitting at a school desk was never your thing, then you’ll love the on-the-job learning style of a trade apprenticeship.
As you do a trade apprenticeship, you learn the content of a certificate III, but instead of learning at a desk you learn on the job. This involves following the example and instructions of a qualified tradie as you do the job itself.
For example, when you do a carpenter’s apprenticeship, you learn a CPC30220 Certificate III in Carpentry by practising carpentry on a daily basis while building your skills and knowledge.
If you’re someone who learns best by doing or by using your hands, then you could be suited to a trades apprenticeship like carpentry.
Perk #2: Earn a living
Another perk of being an apprentice is that you actually get to do a real job and earn money.
Unlike secondary school or university courses that involve going to classes and lectures, an apprenticeship is a 9 to 5 job.
An apprenticeship lets you support yourself financially while still getting an education.
This is a huge benefit compared to diving into a regular paid job in which you wouldn’t learn new skills, gain an education, and improve your employability in the future.
While an apprentice wage is basic and entry-level, it does increase each year and once you are fully qualified you can continue to increase your earnings yearly as you get more experience under your belt.
Perk #3: Become a qualified tradesperson
If you were to jump into a regular paid job—especially one that is unskilled like labouring or retail—you wouldn’t learn new skills or add to your qualifications.
The benefit of doing an apprenticeship compared to getting a regular job is that you earn a qualification such as the CPC30220 Certificate III in Carpentry.
A lot of our students say that getting a qualification like a certificate 3 is both challenging and rewarding.
The process of learning and gaining new skills is great for your confidence.
And once you get your certificate in hand, you have proof of your skills and knowledge.
This qualification will look great on your resume when you apply for jobs.
It will make you more appealing to employers, especially compared to unqualified applicants who don’t have a certificate.
Perk #4: Open doors to jobs
Getting an apprenticeship can be an easier way to get a job compared to applying for regular
jobs. This is because employers love to hire apprentices because they get to teach you a trade in their own way.
There are also heaps of government incentives to hire apprentices, such as subsidies, wage support and tax exemptions.
Basically, it can be cheaper for an employer to hire an apprentice compared to an unskilled worker. Having invested in training an apprentice, employers are more likely to offer you a full-time job once you finish your apprenticeship.
In this way, you increase your chances of having guaranteed work after completing your trade certificate.
Perk #5: Advance your career
Once you’ve gained a trade qualification like a Cert III, you have some experience working in the industry and a better idea of what you’d like to do with your career.
You might want to continue working as a tradie and “on the tools”, gradually increasing your skills, knowledge, experience and income every year.
What are the advantages of being an apprentice? Earning an income and a qualification at the same time is a huge advantage, but the benefits of apprenticeships don’t end there.
You’ll improve your chances of getting jobs in the future and open up a world of opportunities in the building and construction industry.
Where can I get more information on trades?
- The Careers Hub in the Library
- Jane Jamieson from Head Start. Jane can offer you information on trade careers as well as completing a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship. Jane is in the Careers Office in the Library on Thursday (fortnightly).
Please do not hesitate to contact the Careers and Pathways Coordinator for assistance.
Chris Kotsonis
Careers and Pathways Coordinator