An apprenticeship/traineeship is a combined process of paid work and structured training. It is managed by a training contract which includes a training plan between an employer and an apprentice/trainee, in which the employer provides practical training and the apprentice/trainee studies and learns a skill/occupation/trade.

An Apprenticeship is the most recognised way of becoming a qualified 'traditional trades person'. A Traineeship is a recognised way of becoming an occupationally skilled person that isn't a tradesperson.

Apprentices/Trainees must be over the age of 15, however as an adult (over 21) the minimum an employer can pay is the adult minimum wage and if the applicant has already a higher qualification the employer may miss out on some of the financial incentives.

Training is provided by a Registered Training Company (RTO) such as TAFE or a Private training company.

Training can be developed to suit the specific needs of any business. Apprentices/Trainees can be employed on a full time or part time basis (subject to appropriate industrial relations arrangements being in place).

Apprenticeships/Traineeships can be started while the participant is at school and finished after they leave. Existing workers can also become an apprentice/trainee.

To successfully complete an apprenticeship/traineeship and receive a nationally recognised qualification a participant is required to pass an academic (theory) component and a practical assessment conducted by the selected RTO and complete the recognised time served with an employer for the particular apprenticeship/traineeship.

When all competencies within a qualification have been achieved and an adequate time for practice has been completed, an apprentice/trainee is awarded a Certificate for a nationally recognised qualification. A traditional apprenticeship is 4 years duration and the traditional traineeships are 1 – 3 years duration but because they are competency based, the training and assessment and time served may be completed in a shortened timeframe.

An apprentice/trainee who does not complete the academic component or is assessed Not Yet Competent (NYC) for some of the planned units of competence (UOC), will be issued with a Statement of Attainment that will list the UOC where the apprentice/trainee was assessed Competent (C).

An apprentice/trainee will also receive a certificate from DET to validate the time served component of the apprenticeship/traineeship.

A combination of the two complete certificates recognises success for an Apprentice/Trainee.