MY BRILLIANT CAREER

Many people have outdated images of the trades as 'dirty and dangerous'.

In fact, these days trades can be lucrative, long term, challenging and independent careers, but many young people with an interest in trades don't know where to begin.

The first stop should be your careers adviser at school.  They should be able to help you to get information on further study, whether at TAFE, university, or on-the-job in a New Apprenticeship.

Secondly, you might want to talk to local businesses.  You can approach businesses in your local area (ask if they have a human resources manager or personnel manager) and find out whether they have apprenticeships or a training programme.  Ask if they take on School-based New Apprentices.

Thirdly, you can talk to Group Training Companies.  Group Training Companies take on New Apprentices and place them with host employers for a period of their New Apprenticeship.  With group training, New Apprentices can work in a variety of businesses and gain diverse experience.

Questions and Answers

How do I get a New Apprenticeship?

First, look in the newspaper.  At the moment, there are more jobs for New Apprentices in traditional trades than there are applicants. 

If you are interested in group training, contact your local group training company.  More information on group training can be found at www.grouptraining.com.au.

Talk to an employer you are interested in working for, and ask if they have a training programme or if they want to take on a New Apprentice.  If they want more information, they can find it at their local New Apprenticeships Centre (there are over 500 so there is one nearby) or they can look at www.newapprenticeships.gov.au or call 1800 639 629.

For more information on steps to take towards gaining a trade qualification, have a look at http://www.newapprenticeships.gov.au/.

I'm not sure what sort of New Apprenticeship I'm interested in?

There are over 500 New Apprentice occupations available.  Here is a list of training qualifications available in these occupations.  To find out what qualifications are available you need to contact your State Training Authority.

If you need help working out which trade might be right for you, why don't you have a look at www.myfuture.edu.au which can guide you through a range of careers.

How much will I get paid?

New Apprentices are paid a training wage during their New Apprenticeship.  They are usually employed under a Federal or State award or agreement.  The employer and New Apprentice are also signatories to a training agreement which specifies the qualification to be obtained and includes the training plan to achieve that outcome.  All States and Territories require that there be a genuine employer/employee relationship underpinning a New Apprenticeship.

When you complete your New Apprenticeship you should be able to compete successfully for jobs that are paid at the full wage rate or above. 

If you want to get an idea about the wages paid in each industry, check out www.jobsearch.gov.au/joboutlook.

How long will it take me to complete a New Apprenticeship?

A New Apprenticeship can take from 1-4 years to complete depending on the type of New Apprenticeship you are doing.  Here is a list of training qualifications available.

What happens when I finish my New Apprenticeship?

At the end of your New Apprenticeship you will have a trade or related nationally recognised qualification and the experience to assist you in getting the job you want. 

Today, Australia's skills are respected world wide.  Our chefs are able to travel widely, both in Australia and overseas.  Our apprentices are considered among the best in the world.

Each year approximately 4000 Australians compete in the Worldskills competition, at which they compete in their chosen trade against Australia's best apprentice tradespeople.  In 2003 Australian winners competed in 23 categories at the international competition in Switzerland, they won gold in refrigeration, printing and graphic arts, 2 silver in restaurant service and manufacturing and 2 bronze in automotive repair and beauty care.

For more information on Worldskills, see www.worldskills.com.au.

I'd like to own my own business one day, is this a possibility with a trade qualification?

Absolutely.  Doing a New Apprenticeship will help you get the skills to join the 50,000 young Australians aged 15 to 24 in business for themselves. 

Take a look at www.business.gov.au for some helpful information.

Links to Careers sites

Check out the sites below for careers information that will help you consider the full range of careers and training options.

My Future
www.myfuture.edu.au is a unique, comprehensive, online career exploration and information service.  It helps you to make informed career decisions.

Auto Careers
www.autocareers.com.au provides information on careers, career paths and training opportunities in the automotive retail and repair industry including how to become a skilled technician in a leading motor racing team.  

Big Plans
www.bigplans.com.au Building and construction - there’s never been a better time to start a career in this industry.   Over 7% of all Australian jobs are in construction - it accounts for almost the same percentage of the nation’s entire economy. Which makes it huge. And not just huge, but expanding.

Chef

Commercial cookery is becoming highly professional and there are many excellent job opportunities in this sector.  Commercial cookery is a challenging career, but top chefs are highly paid and in great demand.

www.chef.org.au is a site developed under the National Industry Skills Initiative that provides information about careers, career paths and training opportunities in commercial cookery.

Electrotecfutures
www.electrotecfutures.com.au provides extensive information on careers in the high-tech electrotechnology industry, in diverse fields such as electrical, electronics, communications, refrigeration and air-conditioning and computer networking.

Job Guide 2003
www.jobguide.dest.gov.au contains descriptions of over 1100 occupations and links you to training and education opportunities. 

Job Outlook
www.jobsearch.gov.au/joboutlook provides information on job prospects, weekly earnings, type of work and other occupational information.

Jobsearch
www.jobsearch.gov.au enables you to locate jobs across Australia, and enables employers to advertise jobs, and provides other support and information links.   

Ontrack
www.ruralskills.com.au/Ontrack is a careers web site that provides information on modern careers in agriculture, horticulture and animal care, as well as areas like land and park management, the environment, aquaculture and livestock production. It gives detailed information on rural and urban based occupations, career pathways, education and training opportunities, and other relevant organisations.

ZOOM
www.zoom.aigroup.asn.au provides information about careers, interests, occupations, and training pathways in engineering and manufacturing. A career in manufacturing is a career for the future.  There is no limit to where it can lead.

ZOOM2
www.zoom2.aerospace.aigroup.asn.au Imagine maintaining and repairing any of the 6 million parts that make up a 747 Jumbo. With over 10,000 aircraft in Australia alone, the aerospace industry needs dedicated, highly skilled people to maintain this vast fleet. Alternatively, you might like to check in passengers or become a pilot. These jobs are very rewarding and highly sought after, so check out this website on the aerospace industry.

ZOOM3
www.zoom3.aigroup.asn.au
Interested in building a boat, or fitting one out after the hull is completed? Or perhaps you’d like to make accessories such as navigation lights and ladders, or work with customers at a marina? Maybe you’d like to design sails using 3D modelling, or repair vessels using boiler-making or welding skills? If you’d like to be involved in any of the above occupations then you should consider a New Apprenticeship in Boating.

Attracting people to Science and Technology Careers

Science careers embrace a wide range of environments ranging from careers in pure and applied research through to mining, manufacturing, plastics, chemicals and medical environments.  This new project will aim to attract young people into science and technology careers and will highlight the diversity of science careers. More information at this site shortly.