Overview
An apprenticeship is the time spent learning a skilled trade under a qualified tradesperson.
Apprenticeships generally last four years and cover traditional trades. There are dozens of trade apprenticeships available in the construction industry – carpentry, cabinetmaking, electrician, plumbing, shopfitting, to name a few.
You can start the process of becoming an apprentice at any time:
- if you are at school
- if you are just out of school
- if you are already working
- if you are unemployed.
During your apprenticeship, you and your employer enter into a legal agreement known as a training contract. This arrangement continues until you finish your training and you and your employer acknowledge your competence. Ending a training contract requires mutual agreement between you and your employer and cannot be terminated otherwise.
- You will learn on the job (on-job) under your supervisor at your place of work, as well as off-job with a training provider.
- When you finish, you will study towards a nationally recognised qualification and obtain a trade certificate.
- The government and your employer may subsidise your off-job training component, meaning you pay little or nothing towards course fees.
Earn as you gain experience and valuable skills
An apprenticeship or traineeship offers the opportunity to acquire practical skills through on-the-job training with an employer, complemented by formal education provided by an accredited institution. This comprehensive approach culminates in achieving a nationally recognised qualification that holds significance in various locations.
At the outset of your apprenticeship or traineeship, you may have limited experience, but over time, you’ll acquire skills that will prove invaluable throughout your life.
Moreover, you can embark on your apprenticeship or traineeship journey while attending school.
Employers across Australia hold apprenticeships and traineeships in high regard. They understand that participants have completed a structured program meticulously crafted by industry experts, enhancing their credibility in the job market.
Some of the apprenticeships available in the building and construction industry:
- Bricklaying
- Cabinetmaking
- Carpentry and Joinery
- Electrical
- Formwork and Falsework (Construction)
- Glass Cutting and Glazing
- Joiner (Timber/Aluminium/Glass)
- Landscaping
- Metal Fabrication (Boilermaking)
- Painting and Decorating
- Plumbing
- Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
- Roof Plumbing
- Roof Tiling
- Shopfitting
- Solid Plastering
- Stonemasonry
- Wall and Ceiling Lining (Fibrous Plastering)
- Wall and Floor Tiling
Reasons to pursue an apprenticeship
Cost-effective education
Opting for a trade career eliminates the financial burden of HECS or HELP higher education loans. Instead, as an apprentice, you’ll receive compensation while gaining hands-on experience, ultimately earning a valuable trade qualification without the weight of substantial higher education debt.
Job stability
Trade skills are in high demand, reflecting a strong need for skilled tradespeople. Pursuing an apprenticeship becomes attractive as the construction industry thrives across Australia, with growing demands for housing and critical infrastructure projects in various states.
Earn while you learn
Tradespeople enjoy a unique advantage in their learning journey. While apprentices need to grasp the theoretical aspects of their trade, most of their time is devoted to gaining practical, hands-on experience in the field.
Flexible work hours
Tradespeople are known for their hard work, but they also enjoy work hours that might make aspiring white-collar professionals envious. While early starts are customary for tradespeople, the payoff is that they often finish their workday in the early to mid-afternoon.
This flexibility allows them to make the most of those precious daylight hours. Some may use this time for a quick nine holes on the golf course, a visit to the gym, or a trip to the beach for a surf. Additionally, many tradespeople are self-employed, allowing them to choose when and where they work, as they are their own bosses.
Moreover, with Australia’s population reaching 26.1 million people, the years ahead, including 2023, present a promising window of opportunity for embarking on a trade career.
Diverse career trajectories
Given the high demand for tradespeople, many career pathways are available to them. Tradies typically commence their careers in the field but may have opportunities to transition into managerial roles as they progress. These positions often entail overseeing their teams, allowing them to expand their skills and horizons.
Embrace the outdoors
As a tradesperson, you won’t be tethered to a computer desk all day. Most trade work occurs at customers’ locations, keeping you active and on the move throughout your day. You’ll be engaged in physical, hands-on tasks, working with tools in an environment you love.
Opportunities for mobility
Experienced and skilled tradespeople enjoy widespread employment opportunities across various locations. Unlike white-collar roles, professions such as electricians or plumbers are not easily outsourced. With numerous trade certifications holding national recognition, these qualifications empower you to carry your trade expertise to different areas without compromising your career in the trade industry.
Job fulfillment
Tradespeople frequently express immense satisfaction upon finishing their work. It’s a common experience for them to drive around neighbourhoods and recognise projects they’ve actively contributed to, whether a house, a landscaped area, a commercial building, machinery, or any other tangible creation. This instils genuine professional pride as they realise their trade skills and innovative expertise have transformed raw materials into something substantial.
Earnings and long-term profitability in the trades
A tradesperson’s income is commensurate with their qualifications and acquiring new skills and on-the-job experience. Tradies can pursue further training to attain additional licenses, increasing their earning potential. Moreover, numerous thriving trade businesses began as sole proprietorships and expanded by hiring apprentices, tradespeople, and support staff. So, is a trade career profitable? In many instances, it certainly can be.
Useful links
NSW Department of Education
Australian Apprenticeship Support
Skills NSW
TAFE NSW
Infrastructure NSW Women in Construction
Australian Government Your Career
Apprentices in the building and construction industry
Download the Welcome guide for apprentices
Download the JobSeeker Handbook
Guide To starting an apprenticeship
Register as a Master Builders NSW apprentice