How to get started

Based in TAFEs across Victoria, Skills and Jobs Centres (SJCs) help people with career advice, job searching and choosing courses – this includes apprenticeships and traineeships. You don’t have to be a student to visit an SJC – anyone can go along to get free help and advice. Find your local SJC.

If you’re already enrolled in learning, your careers counsellor should be able to point you towards relevant opportunities. If you’re in high school, you could look at a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship. This combines regular school attendance with at least one day a week on the job or in training.

Apprenticeships and traineeships are often advertised through online job sites and social media platforms. Set up a search for the kind of opportunities you’re interested in ('apprentice hairdresser' or 'trainee healthcare worker', for example) to see what’s available. Then apply for the role just like you would for a regular job.

Your Apprentice Connect Australia Provider provides free support services to apprentices and trainees all the way through your training, and even before you begin. This can include job-matching, as well as other support in getting started. Find your nearest Apprentice Connect Australia Provider.

Sometimes apprentices and trainees are employed by a group training organisation (GTO), which then places them with host employers. The GTO organises the training contract and arranges the training you need for your apprenticeship or traineeship. Going through a GTO also means you may get to experience different work environments during your training. See also: List of recognised GTOs

Apprenticeship Employment Network (AEN) represents not-for-profit GTOs across Victoria. Through its members, AEN employs more than 6000 apprentices and trainees across many different industry sectors. See the AEN's current apprentice vacancies.

You can use the Victorian Skills Gateway course search function(opens in a new window) to find the right course for your apprenticeship. Or just to have a look at what’s out there and be inspired about what your future career could look like.

If you’re in a job right now, your current employer may be willing to train you as an apprentice or trainee. This would help you gain new skills to take on new responsibilities. You and your employer will need to choose a training provider and agree on a training plan. To find out more of what’s involved, contact an Apprentice Connect Australia Provider.

The Victorian Government has lots of opportunities to get involved as an apprentice or trainee. You could find work at a wide range of places from hospitals to the Country Fire Authority (CFA) to government departments and agencies. To find out more about what’s on offer, see Careers Vic(opens in a new window) and Victorian Government Jobs and Careers(opens in a new window).

Do you have a permanent disability, illness or injury? You may be able to get help finding an apprenticeship or traineeship via disability employment services (DES)(opens in a new window). You and your employer could also be eligible for additional support. See Support for Australian apprentices with a disability(opens in a new window) for more information.

You can do an apprenticeship through the Australian Navy, Army or Air Force. Before signing up, make sure you get all the facts on what you’re committing to, including the time, obligations and responsibilities of joining the armed forces. See Defence Jobs(opens in a new window) for details.