An Automotive Apprenticeship is a four year term of automotive training. Some new apprenticeships and traineeships may have shorter training periods of just one or two years. Part-time apprenticeships and traineeships, however, may take longer.
Most apprenticeship training is done on the job with an employer in an automotive workshop. Some additional studies and skills training is done away from the workshop at TAFE or with other registered training organisations.
Apprenticeships combine work and structured training that includes, paid employment under an industrial award, in this case it is the "Retail Service and Repair award".
An apprenticeship is a structured training program that sets out to skill an individual in a specific trade or occupation. An apprentice is traditionally placed in a workplace that has the capacity to train the apprentice in a wide range of practical and theoretical applications.
During the period of apprenticeship the apprentice and the employer sign a legal agreement called a contract of training. Under the training contract both parties have an obligation toward each other in the way that they approach the training required to complete the apprenticeship.
At the signing of the training contract the apprentice and employer establish the course of study that is to be undertaken, where the off-the-job training will be carried out and the sorts of skills that the apprentice will be assessed on the in workplace
- Certificate I Common core qualifications (entry level) or pre-vocational
- Certificate II Traineeship Certificate III Apprenticeship - tradesperson
- Certificate IV Advanced training or post trade training Diploma Management / Technical qualifications
Your Employer
If you would like to do an apprenticeship, you first have to find an employer seeking an apprentice. That employer will have a Contract of Training for you to sign, and will pay your wages, allowances and training fees. You will also be paid extra, at special rates of pay, for overtime work. Apprentices are paid for their time on the job, and are paid to attend training at the Skills Institute.
Work duties
- You will be expected to be punctual and to have a tidy appearance
- You will be expected to deal politely and respectfully with customers and staff
- You will be expected to take an interest in your training and apply yourself to your work
- You will be expected to correctly fill out time sheets and other workplace documents
- You will be expected to develop strong skills in your field through observation, enquiry, practice and study
- You will be expected to work safely
Getting ahead
People with special skills and knowledge are sought after by the industry, so some apprentices choose to do extra studies . Skills Tasmania offers a variety of POST TRADE courses and to name a few; Overhaul Braking System, Engine Management Systems, Advanced Electronic Fuel Injection and Cert IV Automotive Business Management .
Many apprentices choose to do extra studies in specialised areas like Automotive Business Management, or Advanced Electronic Fuel Injection during their apprenticeship. Others do these studies later on when they are fully qualified. People with special skills and knowledge are sought after by the industry, and command special salaries. TACC Part-time School-based Traineeship School students can begin automotive training, and receive pay for their time spent on the job, while studying for their VCE.
To apply for a TACC apprenticeship, click here.