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1. Training packages

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.

Qualifications may be gained at College, at School, with an employer as an Australian Apprentice or by Recognition of Prior Learning.

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 or at http://qtis.training.qld.gov.au/.

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 Government incentives

An overview of financial incentives that currently apply in the Australian Government Australian Apprenticeships Program can be viewed at   http://www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au/FAQ/Documents/SummaryoftheAustGovntAAIP_Oct2012.pdf.

Please contact your local Australian Apprenticeship Centre for up-to-date details on Australian Government Incentives and Allowances and eligibility requirements for you and your Australian Apprentice. These are under constant review and subsequent change.
 

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 some 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.

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.

If you have any further questions contactl the Queensland Education and Training Adviser on Mobile 0411 423 803 or via email.

Updated May 2013

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