What are Pre-apprenticeships?

A pre-apprenticeship is entry level training which can provide a pathway into the industry of your choice. Generally, they are offered in the traditional trades industries, such as Carpentry, Electrical, Plumbing and Automotive.

The term pre-vocational or pre-traineeship may also be used when talking about entry level training in non-traditional trade industries, such as Hospitality, and Animal Care and Management.

Pre-apprenticeships can assist in improving literacy and numeracy skills as well as focusing on developing some essential work related skills. These skills can help you be better prepared for work and be a stand-out job candidate.

These programs can vary between states and territories, and industries. Some may involve a work experience component and some may attract a credit transfer to an apprenticeship level qualification.

How do I find a pre-apprenticeship?

Pre-apprenticeships are offered by Registered Training Organisations such as TAFE and private providers, and Group Training Organisations. Often it can be challenging to find the pre-apprenticeship information you are interested in by searching through multiple websites.

Our Pre-apprenticeship Finder has a list of pre-apprenticeships being offered by providers, which can be searched by industry and location.

Once in the finder, select your persona, location and click on the 'Pre-Apprenticeships' button. You can view specific start dates, contact details, potential costs and any eligibility requirements.

PLEASE NOTE: Not all pre-apprenticeships are listed on our website. If you do not find any search results that fit your criteria we suggest you contact your local TAFE directly.

Benefits of doing a pre-apprenticeship

• Find out whether a particular industry is right for you, without committing to a full apprenticeship
• Undertaking a pre-apprenticeship that includes work experience will help with your chances of finding work, by giving you  direct experience to put on your resume
• Develop basic on-the-job skills and some industry-specific skills
• The provider you are doing a pre-apprenticeship with may be able to help you find an employer
• Some employers, particularly in the trade industries, have a preference for people who have completed a pre-apprenticeship. They see the initiative as providing a good grounding in basic skills and workplace awareness
• You may receive credit for the study completed, which could shorten the time it takes to complete a full apprenticeship.

Do I have to do a pre-apprenticeship to get an apprenticeship?

There is no requirement to have completed a pre-apprenticeship before starting an apprenticeship or traineeship. However, it is important that you are aware that in some industries employers look more favourably upon people that have completed a pre-apprenticeship.

Areas such as Electrical and Plumbing, which have strict licensing requirements, will often prefer potential apprentices who have completed a pre-apprenticeship. In some cases, employers who are advertising an apprenticeship opportunity will specify they are looking for someone who has completed a pre-apprenticeship. Check out job ads to get an idea of whether pre-apprenticeship are frequently mentioned, which will indicate if they are in demand in your industry of choice.

There are some industries where completing a pre-apprenticeship is not important, with employers preferring to employ people directly into an apprenticeship with no previous training. You can go to our Industry Information pages to see if pre-apprenticeships are a common pathway into an apprenticeship opportunity. You could also speak to employers in the industry to find out if completing a pre-apprenticeship is something they look for in their apprentices.