Frequently Asked Questions
- So what subjects will I do at school?
- How much does it cost to attend the Australian Technical College - Gladstone Region?
- What will I be paid?
- Is there a probation period?
- Do I have to travel away from work or study?
- What is expected of you?
- What do we provide?
- What is off-the-job training?
- So how does the apprenticeship work?
- Your apprenticeship at a glance:
- Honing your skills when qualified
- Code of Conduct for Australian School-based Apprentices
So what subjects will I do at school?
Your school coursework will vary depending on your school but students who enrol in an Australian School-based Apprenticeship need to complete the accredited Queensland Certificate of Education.
The Queensland Certificate of Education was introduced in 2006 to allow flexibility in learning for students in the senior years.
It allows students to work with education providers to design a program of study that matches their career goals.
Our students typically complete 20 points of credit that is made up of:
- Three or four senior school subjects (English Communication, Pre-Vocational Mathematics, a Science subject and Information Technology or Business Studies);
- Apprenticeship coursework; and either:
- A Certificate II in Business (four points) that includes Business, Information Technology and Personal Financial units; or,
- A Certificate I in Information Technology (two points), plus a Certificate I in Business (two points).
- A negotiated and approved fourth subject (four points). These can be authority subjects; Vocational Education and Training courses; university courses undertaken while at school; international learning courses; recognised certificates and awards; or workplace, community or self directed projects.
More information on the QCE, visit the Queensland Studies Authority website .
How much does it cost to attend the Australian Technical College - Gladstone Region?
Please contact the Australian Technical College - Gladstone Region Ltd Ph. 07 4972 3655 for further information.
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What will I be paid?
Among the many benefits of enrolling through the College in an Australian School-based Apprenticeship is that you will earn while you learn.
You will receive the same hourly rate of pay as a full-time first year apprentice who does the same type of work in the same workplace.
In addition, you will receive a wage loading that compensates you for not being paid for off-the-job training and leave benefits such as holiday or sick pay.
You may also be eligible for:
- four (4) wage top up incentives during the 2 years of the Australian School-based Apprenticeship
- two (2) Commonwealth Learning Trade Scholarships
More information about general wages can be found at Wageline by telephoning 1300 369 945 or visit the Wageline website on www.wageline.qld.gov.au.
More info about Australian School-based Apprenticeships.
Is there a probation period?
Our apprentices must complete a probation period of 90 days in which time they must meet agreed upon guidelines. This equates to 24 days on the job during a 90 day period.
Do I have to travel away from work or study?
You may be required to travel away with your employer to attend course work. If you have to travel away for work or coursework, you may be eligible for government accommodation subsidies or travel subsidies. Our Student Liaison Officer is there to help you with this.
What is expected of you?
To become an Australian Technical College - Gladstone Region Australian School-based Apprentice you must:
Have passing grades at school or better and be committed to a trade career;
- Be prepared to go through a selection process, including aptitude testing, and be eager to take part in an intensive self-development/employment readiness course;
- Be prepared to work and understand that you will be required to fulfil practical and theoretical components of your trade, including nationally accredited vocational education;
- Behave appropriately in your workplace setting;
- Be willing to undertake pre-apprenticeship work experience.
What do we provide?
- Workplace readiness and other required training;
- Ongoing support from our Student Liaison Officer and support staff;
- Work clothes and some personal protective equipment while an Australian School- based Apprentice;
- Assistance in securing travel and accommodation support;
- An employer for the term of your apprenticeship;
- Assistance in finding a work experience site; and,
- Networking opportunities.
What is off-the-job training?
Off-the-job training is any training that is not at your work site or at school. You must attend off- the-job training when and where directed. This could be at TAFE, with us or via a private, registered training organisation. This is an important part of your training and you must pass all modules/competencies to successfully complete and gain your Queensland Certificate of Education.
Our Australian School-based Apprentices must attend all mandatory off-the-job training. This type of training must take precedence over other activities. Our apprentices may be required to attend off-the-job training during school holiday times.
So how do the apprenticeships work?
It's impossible to tell you exactly what you'll be doing while on your Australian School-based Apprenticeship and then full-time apprenticeship because no two businesses are the same. In general terms, however, you will be employed under a registered training agreement throughout your apprenticeship.
On completion of Year 12, you convert to a full-time apprentice. You will be required to undertake structured training. This means you will complete VET coursework for the equivalent of one day a week. It may be structured as one week a month or in longer blocks.
You will take off-the-job training in varying formats for three years (full-time equivalent) of your apprenticeship and the fourth year is spent entirely on the job.
You will be eligible for your trade certificate upon completion of all on and off-the-job training.
Your apprenticeship at a glance:
1st year apprenticeship (school based in Years 11 and 12)
- Don't expect to start at the top. First year apprentices spend most of the time learning the basics of what they'll be doing. This will include learning about the work place; about safety procedures; the importance of quality; how to read drawings; using computers; learning to use some of the tools and machinery in your trade; and learning how to measure accurately.
2nd year of your apprenticeship (full time)
- Can be assisting other tradespeople in operating machines and tools and performing some of the more simple tasks around the workshop. You may be assuming responsibility for some of your own less complex work and be expected to ensure its quality meets the requirements of the workplace and their clients.
3rd year of your apprenticeship (full-time)
- You are expected to have the skills to perform much of the work unsupervised. You should be able to set and operate machines and tools to make or assemble a range of items. You will be entrusted with some of the most precise or complicated work undertaken in the workshop.
4th year of your apprenticeship (full-time)
- Once you have completed all your structured apprenticeship training, you will be responsible for much of the work undertaken as a tradesperson. You will able to undertake almost every task in the workshop and will be entrusted with diagnosing faults and using your skills to come up with innovative ways to overcome design or manufacturing problems.
Honing your skills when qualified
You are encouraged to stay with your employer upon completion of your apprenticeship to ensure you hone your skills and knowledge as a tradesperson. This will also give you confidence for future endeavours.
Also consider your employer who has given you an opportunity to gain your qualifications. Many new tradespeople make the mistake of moving on immediately after gaining their qualifications in the expectation of big money but this does not always eventuate.
Take stock of where you are, evaluate all aspects and make a good decision based on the opportunity you have been given. You should ask yourself one question: "Where would I be now if my employer had not given me a chance?"
Code of Conduct for Australian School-based Apprentices
All Australian School-based Apprentices are expected to follow procedures outlined in their training contract.
Steps you must follow:
- Attend and perform work as directed by your employer;
- Report all injuries immediately to your employer and contact your Student Liaison Officer. Become familiar with and follow all safety rules of the workplace;
- Behave in a courteous and professional manner to supervisors, customers, teaching staff and fellow workers;
- Do not waste, steal, damage or injure property, goods or the business name of your employer;
- Do not waste, steal, damage or injure the property or goods of the supervising registered training organisation;
- Attend apprenticeship "off the job" training as scheduled;
- Perform to the best of your ability and maintain sound school grades, ensure that assignments/homework are handed in on time including apprenticeship "off the job" training work;
- Take responsibility for managing your time to ensure you can meet all of your commitments, such as work, school and off-the-job training.
- Be mindful that participation in extra curricular activities such as school inter-sport days etc must not take priority over "off the job" training attendance or your workplace training;
- Endeavour to maintain god workmanship, punctuality and attendance at all times;
- You agree to adhere to the principles of the College's Privacy Act;
- Seek assistance form your employer whenever you feel uncertain; and,
- Follow instructions given by your employer and the Student Liaison Officer.