I don't know what career I want?
Doing an apprenticeship or traineeship doesn't mean you are committed to that career for life. It can be a good first step into an industry, a taster, a job while you decide your next step, or a way to earn money in a gap year!
Some traineeships take about 12 months, while other apprenticeships and traineeships can be up to 4 years full-time. This means you can do an apprenticeship or traineeship while you are still deciding what you want to do as a career. It might be a good way to get a taste of an industry and find out if it is what you want to do long term!
Many of the skills you develop doing Australian Apprenticeships will stay with you for life, even if you make big career changes. For example, the teamwork, communication and problem solving skills you will develop, as well as behaviours including showing a positive attitude, are important to display when applying for future jobs.
Case Study: Tom
Tom thought his ideal career would be to become a chef, so he completed an apprenticeship and started working in some top hotels. After a few years of working for someone else and then running his own business Tom decided that is wasn’t for him and wanted to regain his social life! Tom wanted to be a carpenter and work outdoors for a change.
Tom’s skills he gained from being a chef, good hand eye coordination, teamwork, communication and problem solving skills were transferred into his new career. Tom's employer was happy to take on someone with transferable skills, who had proved himself to be reliable and hardworking.