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2. Australian Apprenticeships in rural and related industries

Training packages

Each industry has now collected details of all the skills and knowledge required by its workers from the basic level to the very advanced.  This has been done by industry teams through consultations with workers in each industry sector over many years. Also, this information is continually updated.

These ‘full collections of skills and knowledge’ are called training packages.

Within each training package sets of skills and knowledge are grouped together at various levels of difficulty. Upon achievement of one of these groupings, the worker, usually an Australian Apprentice, is judged to be ‘competent’ by both the employer and training organisation and is awarded a ‘qualification’, which is accepted Australia wide. 

This is how tradespersons such as carpenters become ‘qualified in their trade’. The same process of qualification is now available to workers in rural and related industries.

There are training packages for the rural and related industries.  Australian Apprenticeships may be undertaken by people working in the following sectors -

Agriculture sectors

Agriculture, agribusiness, dairy production, horse breeding, pork production, feedlot operations, production horticulture (fruit and vegetables), shearing, wool handling, wool clip preparation, wool classing.                                                     

Horticulture sectors

Arboriculture, floriculture, horticulture, landscaping, retail nursery, production nursery, parks and gardens, and sports turf management (green-keeping).   

Conservation and land management sectors

Conservation and land management, natural area restoration, vertebrate pest management, weed management, land, parks and wildlife, Indigenous land management.

Service sectors

Beekeeping, irrigation, commercial seed processing, rural operations, commercial composting, rural machinery operations, rural merchandising, and conservation earthworks.

Animal care and management sectors

Veterinary nursing, animal welfare, animal technology, captive animals, and companion animals and farriery.

Please note: Details of the qualifications in these sectors may be found at www.training.gov.au (and at DETA-QTIS internet site)

Australian Apprenticeships in rural and related industries – information for employers

What are Australian Apprenticeships?

Australian Apprenticeships (a name given to ‘apprenticeships’ and ‘traineeships’) is the predominant way that existing employees, young and mature age, are employed and trained in rural and related industries.

An Australian Apprenticeship is a contracted period of employment and training that combines practical work with an employer together with theory from a training organisation. This provides employees with knowledge and skills that are specifically required to do the job.  The standards for each skill have been set by industry and are kept under constant review.  It is the same system used for traditional trades, such as carpenters and mechanics. Upon completion the employee gains a national qualification which is recognised throughout Australia.

Australian Apprenticeships are available to most people from 15 years of age and over.  This includes family members where they have no equity in the business.  There are no specified minimum educational requirements for participation. However, basic literacy and numeracy skills to year 10 standards are recommended.  Approximately 1 600 Australian Apprentices are employed each year in Queensland’s rural and related industries.

Usually, employees begin as Australian Apprentices at the basic entry level, which is level II (one year full-time or two years part-time. Then they may progress to a higher level qualification at level III (two years full-time).  Level III is generally viewed as the ‘trade level’.  Some employers now encourage employees on to level IV (supervisory) then to the diploma level (management) and even higher. This system provides a practical career pathway to the top for those who want to take it.

Benefits for employers

• You may receive financial incentives from the Australian Government;
• You pay the new employee a training wage;
• You make all the hiring decisions;
• You get to choose the training provider;
• You get to negotiate a customised training program to suit the needs of your property;
• You may get free training for the new employee from the state government;
• You get free assistance with the paperwork from a special government funded agency;
• You can employ direct or through a group training company; and
• You set your employees up for a career and not just a job.

Australian Apprenticeships for 'new employees'

If you need new staff or if you are finding it hard to source a skilled employee you could employ an inexperienced person as an Australian Apprentice. Productivity is achieved more quickly as they learn the latest and most relevant skills in a short time frame because of the apprenticeship system of employment which is supported with external training.
Also, those employees who have worked for you either full-time for less than three months, or part-time or casual for less than 12 months, prior to entering a training contract, are not deemed as ‘existing workers’ by the government for the purposes of public funding of their training. Hence, for most new employees, external training is funded by the government and financial incentives apply.

Australian Apprenticeships for 'existing employees'

An ‘existing worker’ is an employee who has been employed for longer than three months full-time or 12 months part-time or casual by the current employer.

Government funding of training and payment of incentives to employers of existing workers may apply under certain conditions.  Australian Apprenticeship Centres are equipped to help employers determine their eligibility on a case by case basis.

Existing workers who are converted to Australian Apprenticeships do not require changes to their current employment conditions. They may have a number of their current skills recognised and credited by the training organisation, which should reduce the time required for the gaining of the qualification.

Australian Apprenticeships for 'school-based' employees'

A ‘school-based’ employee could also be an option for your business. This is very popular throughout Queensland.  Young people generally aged 15 years and over and who are still attending school are eligible to undertake a part-time apprenticeship or traineeship while still finishing their senior schooling.

Typically an apprentice or trainee would work for you one day a week or the equivalent time during the school vacation period and complete the theoretical training off site. However, work periods are negotiable with each school and special cases may be accepted for a student to work for an employer two and even three days per week (additional work in school holidays may also be acceptable).  The majority of schools in Queensland now offer flexible timetables for students wishing to undertake this form of employment and training and are very happy to talk to all employers about sourcing suitable applicants. Also, many farming families take this option for their own children who are either living at home or who are at boarding school.

Hence, young people can study for their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE), acquire government approved and accredited training qualifications in an apprenticeship or traineeship and be paid while doing so.  When they finish, they will have their QCE or equivalent, and be well on the way towards a qualification in their chosen career.

Australian Government incentives

Following is an overview of incentives that currently apply in the Australian Government Australian Apprenticeships Program.

Please note: Always check with your local Australian Apprenticeship Centre for up-to-date details and to find out which incentives you and your Australian Apprentice are eligible for.

 The basic incentives are -

• $1,250 incentive for an employer who commences an Australian Apprentice in a *nominated equity group in a Certificate II qualification.
   
• $1,500 incentive for an employer who commences an Australian Apprentice in a Certificate III, IV, Diploma or Advanced Diploma qualification.

• $750 incentive for employers who recommence an Australian Apprentice in a Certificate III, IV, Diploma or Advanced Diploma qualification.

• $2,500 incentive for employers of Australian Apprentices who successfully complete a Certificate III, IV, Diploma or Advanced Diploma qualification.

• $1,000 special incentive for Rural and Regional employers who commence an Australian Apprentice in a Certificate III or IV qualification leading to an occupation listed on the National Skill Needs List in a non-metropolitan area.

• $750 incentive for an employer who commences an Australian Apprentice in an endorsed Australian School-based Apprenticeship in a Certificate II or higher level qualification.

• $750 for an employer who continues to employ a Certificate II or higher level Australian School-based Apprentice after the student has completed secondary school.

• $1,500 incentive for employers of eligible Certificate II Australian Apprentices who have a current Exceptional Circumstance Drought Area certificate.

• $1,500 incentive for employers of eligible Australian Apprentices who successfully completed a Certificate II qualification and who attracted a Declared Drought Areas commencement incentive.

• $750 incentive for an employer who commences an eligible Australian Apprentice in a Certificate II or higher level qualification who is a disadvantaged person aged 45 years or more.

• $750 incentive for an employer of an Australian Apprentice who successfully completes a Certificate II or higher level qualification and who attracted a Mature Aged Worker commencement incentive.

• $1,000 special incentive for Group Training Organisations that support Australian Apprentices in a *nominated equity group to complete a Certificate II Australian Apprenticeship.

*Nominated equity groups are Australian Apprentices working in rural and remote areas, Indigenous Australians, Australian apprentices with a disability, Australian school-based apprentices, mature age Australian Apprentices (45+) and job seekers with severe barriers to employment (JSA Stream 4 Clients).

Other Australian Government incentives include -

• Assistance for Australian Apprentices with disability.

• Living Away From Home allowance.

• Support for Adult Australian Apprentices.

• Tools For Your Trade Payment.

• Youth Allowance, Austudy or ABSTUDY.

Note:  Australian Government incentives may vary and change depending on government policy.

Queensland Government assistance

Also, the Queensland Government may pay the full or partial training costs for those undertaking apprenticeships and traineeships. Check this with your Australian Apprenticeships Centre at the time you discuss incentives and other forms of government assistance as they relate to your particular case. See contact details below.

To find out more

Call an Australian Apprenticeships Centre

As an employer you should do this whether you are just thinking about employing an Australian Apprentice or whether you have already commenced your employee with a view to an Australian Apprenticeship being offered. There are a large number of conveniently located Australian Apprenticeships Centres throughout Queensland which will provide you with a free service.

To choose an Australian Apprenticeships Centre call the referral line on (freecall) 13 38 73.  You will be asked for your post code and then you will be given the names and telephone numbers of centres that are contracted to your region.  Ask the centre to send a representative to your property for a face-to-face visit and ask as many questions as you wish.  Australian Apprenticeship Centres are contracted by the Australian Government to provide you with a wide range of services, such as assistance with choosing the Australian Apprenticeship most appropriate to your business, providing advice on recruitment, employment and training options, advice on legal requirements, helping you with paperwork, arranging financial incentives for you and allowances for your Australian Apprentice and providing assistance with retaining your Australian Apprentice until completion of the employment and training period.

(The Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE now delivers training remotely to all Queensland work sites through a flexible e-learning method).

To find out which training provider (TAFE, agricultural college or private training company) can deliver your training requirements in your area (the content, flexibility, where, when, their experience, ongoing support, your involvement and their availability) you should seek assistance with contact details from your Australian Apprenticeships Centre.  Some training providers deliver training and assessment at the work site whereas others provide this only at their own sites.

To determine wages and conditions for an Australian Apprentice, with the exception of those within state and local government and some Queensland Government owned corporations, contact the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94. Or go to www.fairwork.gov.au and go to 'Awards', go to ‘Find an award’, go to ‘Pastoral award 2010’ or 'Horticulture award 2010' or 'Other' and then go to 'Schedule C'.

Also, an excellent Australian Apprentice recruitment resource for employers can be found at www.ruralskills.com.au

OR

Call a group training oganisation

If you do not wish to employ an Australian Apprentice directly, or if you have seasonal work for parts of the year and cannot take on a worker for a full year, you should look at engaging a group training organisation.

They may be able to offer you a flexible and cost effective way of employing your Australian Apprentice.  They take on the legal employment of the Australian Apprentice and then place the person with you (the host business) for an agreed period of time.  You may be able to meet changing market demands more effectively by hiring according to your estimated peak periods, thus reducing your employment costs when your work is slow.  Ask for information on their policies and procedures and also for a written quote. To contact a group training organisation in your area, call the freecall number 1800 819 747.

In addition

ARE YOU SKILLED?  DO YOU NEED THE CERTIFICATE TO PROVE IT?

Call Skilling Solutions Queensland, a new innovative service developed by the state government operating out of many shop front premises throughout Queensland.

It works like this: 

When you go in or call Skilling Solutions Queensland you will talk with a trained consultant. Tell that person what you’ve done and what you want to do and they give you up-to-date information on training and career options and the process called ‘recognition of prior learning’. 

You are guided through the process of identifying the competencies (knowledge and skills) you already possess and in setting out a clear plan for the future.  The outcome is to get you to the point of acquiring a formal vocational education and training qualification from a basic certificate to an advanced diploma, depending on your skill level and future requirements. 
Ask about their free service and a possible government grant for the process.

To contact Skilling Solutions Queensland call the freecall number 1300 654 687.

Does your enterprise have future training needs?

The Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation - DEEDI (incorporating the Department of Primary Industries) - is working with industry to attract, develop and retain a skilled workforce for rural and related industries.

If you have any requirement to discuss the training needs of your company or industry sector please contact:

• John Bird on 0419 723 443 or john.bird@deedi.qld.gov.au at the state level or
• Arthur Blewitt on 02 6163 7200 or Arthur.blewitt@agrifoodskills.net.au at the national level.

Updated December 2011

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