Hints to help you find an Australian Apprenticeship

An Australian Apprenticeship starts like any job.  An employer has to create a vacancy, but then also decide to use Australian Apprenticeships as a way to train their staff.  
So, Australian Apprenticeships job vacancies can be found wherever job ads are listed, such as in the newspapers and online.
You can also apply directly to employers who may be interested in employing Australian Apprentices in the occupation that you want to work in, even though they may not have advertised a position yet.
To do this you’ll need to do some research work to pinpoint potential employers, and then put together a job application that promotes both Australian Apprenticeships and yourself.  
Here are some suggested steps to help you in your job hunting.

STEP 1    

Use the Australian Apprenticeships Job Pathways website (http://www.aajobpathways.com.au/) to look at the wide range of Australian Apprenticeships options available.  Make sure that you “select your State or Territory” to get information relevant to where you live.

You can search for potential Australian Apprenticeships “Job Descriptions” using several methods: by industry groups; by trade occupations; or you can get a good overview of Australian Apprenticeships pathways by looking at the Australian Apprenticeships Job Pathway Charts for the industries you are interested in.

The Job Pathway Charts cover many industries showing potential Australian Apprenticeships jobs.  You can usually click on a job title to get more detail such as the things you will learn during the Australian Apprenticeship.

Print copies of the Job Descriptions and the Job Pathways Charts for the Australian Apprenticeships you are interested in, and add them to your job applications.

STEP 2    

Start your research

a) Search job ads

Go online to search job sites (start with http://www.jobsearch.gov.au), and look in the employment section of newspapers.  Don’t forget to check your local newspaper too.  If you’ve searched using ‘Step 1’ above, you will find some links to online job sites at the bottom of the Australian Apprenticeships job descriptions.

b) Let people know about your search

Use your friend and family networks to see if they have any employer contacts in the industry and occupation/s that interests you.

c) Contact your local Australian Apprenticeships Centre and request a copy of the general promotional material they use to promote Australian Apprenticeships, including employer incentives and the help they offer employers who are employing Australian Apprentices. A contact list of your local Australian Apprenticeships Centres is available by postcode on the Commonwealth government’s Australian Apprenticeships website (http://www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au).  The Australian Apprenticeships Centre may also be able to suggest some other local employers you could contact.

d) Tap into other resources

These include: industry and employer association websites, Group Training Organisations, and Job Network providers. (See ‘Other Help’ below for contacts).

What questions should you ask of these resources? 

The key statement is “I’m looking for an Australian Apprenticeship in {insert the occupation title here}”, followed by a couple of questions….

“Can you provide me with some information about the benefits and incentives attached to Australian Apprenticeships, so that I can include the information in my applications to employers?” (This may include information on the financial incentives offered to employers and the service the organisation provides employers who are employing Australian Apprentices.)

“Can you provide me with any job hunting assistance in my area, for this type of Australian Apprenticeship?”

e) Research lists of local employers

The best resource is the Yellow Pages Directory (hard copy or via the internet at http://www.yellowpages.com.au).  Build up a list of local employers (write down their addresses and telephone numbers) who may employ people in the Australian Apprenticeship occupation you are interested in.

STEP 3    

Contact the employer by telephone and ask for (and write down) the name of the person responsible for hiring new staff and their job title.  You should also check the address where this person is located and if possible ask for the person’s email address.

STEP 4    

Prepare a brief covering letter addressed to the person at the employers you have identified including:

• Your interest in becoming an Australian Apprentice with their company;
• A copy of your resume;
• A copy of the Australian Apprenticeship Job Description for the type of job you are interested in, and if possible the Job Pathway Chart for the industry;
• A copy of information on government incentives and other information for employers provided by your local Australian Apprenticeships Centre.

We suggest that you advise the employer in your covering letter that you will contact them in about 5 days time to discuss your letter with them.  Then post or email the letter and the rest of the information.  

STEP 5    

Follow up in five to seven days time by contacting the employer by telephone (ask for the person that you sent the letter to) to check that they have received your letter and if so, ask if they are interested in employing you as an Australian Apprentice.

OTHER HELP   

The Australian Apprenticeships Job Pathway website (http://www.aajobpathways.com.au) brings together links to a range of resources to support your job hunting efforts.  They include:

• Links to resume and covering letter writing information – see “Getting Started” and “Selling Yourself” in the “Self Help” section;
• Links to Career information websites such as My Future (http://www.myfuture.edu.au).  See “Career Services” in the Self Help section and also their page on green jobs is definitely worth a visit http://www.myfuture.edu.au/The%20Facts/Work%20and%20Employment/Green%20C...
• Links to websites that advertise Australian Apprenticeships vacancies include Environmental Jobs Network http://www.environmentaljobs.com.au/jobs and Australian Job Search http://www.jobsearch.gov.au and http://www.locanto.com.au/Jobs/J/?query=apprentice

OTHER USEFUL RESOURCES

• Find a local Australian Apprenticeships Centre: http://www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au/search/aacsearch.asp
• Group Training Organisations work with employers and employees and job seekers to create and place Australian Apprenticeships.  Find a local Group Training Organisation: http://www.gtaltd.com.au/about_gtanational/national_directory/national_d...
• Centrelink supports jobseekers with a range of services and programs.  Find a local office: http://www.humanservices.gov.au/
• Find a local Job Network provider to talk about jobs: http://jobsearch.gov.au/provider/providersearch.aspx
• For wages information go to the Workplace Authority: http://www.workplaceauthority.gov.au/