FAQs for Support Networks

The Australian Apprenticeships & Traineeships Information Service (AATIS) consists of useful information and resources for students, job hunters, employers and industry insiders.

If you are a parent and are researching apprenticeship and traineeship career pathways for your child, the Parents and Friends page is a good place to start.

The About Australian Apprenticeships section of the website has information about what apprenticeships and traineeships are, about pre-apprenticeships and school-based apprenticeships, and who is involved in the sector.

Once you have a good understanding of Australian Apprenticeships, the Parents and Friends page has information about how to support young people making career decisions.

Some key resources you may want to use in these discussions include:

• The Job & Training Descriptions search option allows for a search through broad industry categories toward more detailed information, helping refine a person's interests
• The Industry Information area provides a general background brief on major industry sectors
• The Job Pathways Charts demonstrate movement through industry streams, from Certificate II level to Advanced Diploma, and can be used to discuss future career pathways starting from lower level qualifications

The Students section of the website has a range of information and resources for people considering their future career. The Career Research and Resources section can also help out.

Some of the key areas that might be of use include:

• The Industry Information area provides a general background brief on major industry sectors
• The Find my Work Type page include the Work Type Explorer and the more detailed Career Interest Explorer, which works from very general ideas of seven work environments to help people identify the strength of their industry or occupation interests
• The Job & Training Descriptions search option allows for a search through broad industry categories toward more detailed information, helping refine a person's interests
• The Literacy & Numeracy Quizzes test the literacy and numeracy skills needed to start an apprenticeship or traineeship in different industries.

Australian School-based Apprenticeships (ASbA), also known as school-based apprenticeships and traineeships, are like any apprenticeship or traineeship but commenced part-time as part of secondary schooling. ASbA's will earn a wage, train with an employer, and work towards an accredited qualification while completing a high school certificate. 

Find out more about work hours, payment, providers, and other pertinent information regarding Australian School-based Apprenticeships on our website. 

Australian Apprenticeships and University are two parts of the whole post-school education system. There is no right or wrong pathway for young people, but it is important they participate in the best type of education and training for them.

An apprenticeship or traineeship can lead into university study, but can also be a stand alone form of education. This means that someone who does an apprenticeship or traineeship can still go to university, and in some cases may get recognition for their training they did in the apprenticeship or traineeship.

Both Australian Apprenticeships and university have similar wage outcomes for graduates, but apprentices and trainees are more likely to be employed full-time when they complete their study.

Australian Apprenticeships may better suit people who want to start work, who prefer working with their hands or in practical roles, or who prefer their learning to be directly related to the job they are doing.

Overall, it is important for people to consider all possible pathways and choose the one that is best for them, remembering that education is a lifelong journey which can be continued through other forms of education later on.

The Australian Apprenticeships & Traineeships Information Service (AATIS) consists of useful information and resources for students, job hunters, employers and industry insiders.

The Career Research & Resources page has a range of AATIS and other resources that can be used with students, job hunters and career changers understand whether an Australian Apprenticeship is the right pathway for them. The Career Advisers page has information that will help career advisers facilitate career conversations.

The Australian Apprenticeships and Traineeships information Service (AATIS) website has a complete section for Career Advisers with information, links, ideas, and resources to assist with your role. AATIS have a number of downloadable resources to use with students or job seekers to develop a basic understanding of apprenticeships and traineeships.

The Schools Guide to Apprenticeships is the first step to getting an understanding of the apprenticeships and traineeships landscape and the best place to get started.

It covers the key Australian Apprenticeships information you need to support your students, and explains how to use the free resources that are available on the AAPathways website. Download a copy of the schools guide and have career conversations with students or job seekers.

 Australian School-based Apprenticeships (ASbA), are commenced part-time while completing secondary schooling. The ASbA will earn a wage, train with an employer, and work towards an accredited qualification while completing a high school certificate.

VET in Schools (VETiS) is vocational education and training as part of the secondary curriculum and is not connected to paid employment or a contract of training. Some VETiS training can be a pathway into an apprenticeship or traineeship.

The Australian VET Alumni Program includes Australian Apprenticeship Ambassadors, other VET graduates, registered training organisations, businesses and VET practitioners dedicated to sharing their journey.

Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) skills are an important part of a successful apprenticeship or traineeship as they relate to how we communicate effectively in the workplace. Further advice can be found on our LLN page.

We have a selection of short online LLN quizzes and the more in-depth Practice Aptitude Quizzes, which can be used to facilitate conversations about what LLN skills are required in the different industries.

Availability and duration information for each qualification within a Training Package can be found on the Field Officer Briefs. There is the option to filter to locate available apprenticeships or traineeships by your state or territory.

You can also find availability and duration by occupation through our Job and Training Descriptions search.

There are a range of downloadable resources you can use, including many that are customisable with your organisation logo and call to action. You can find more information about AATIS resources on the Helpful Resources page.