A person who is already employed by a company can become an Australian Apprentice. For example, if they were employed as a trades assistant and wanted to become a tradesperson, they could use an Australian Apprenticeship to learn the skills that would help them move from one job to another. An existing employee may even be able to reduce the length of their apprenticeship or traineeship by receiving credit for existing skills or knowledge.
Employers who move existing employees into an Australian Apprenticeship are generally eligible for Australian Government incentives. More information can be found on the Australian Apprenticeships website.
Formal training for existing worker
An existing worker signing a training contract undertakes the same formal training program and is eligible to receive the same qualification as a new entrant trainee in the same traineeship vocation.
For new entrant traineeships, there must be an Registered Training Organisation (RTO) nominated to provide the training and assess the trainee.
Because in many cases existing worker trainees have extensive industry experience, the RTO may decide to deliver the training, conduct assessments and gather evidence of the trainee's competence in different ways from those used for apprentices or new entrant trainees.
Limitations
The Tasmanian Government will not fund training for existing employees entering a training contract if they have been working more than three months full-time or 12 months part-time or casual other than in exceptional circumstances. For more information refer to the User Choice section http://www.skills.tas.gov.au/providers/purchasing/userchoice
A school student who is offered a traineeship by their employer is exempt from the existing employee policy.
For more information on employing apprentices or trainees, contact the Skills Tasmania on 1800 655 846 or an Australian Apprenticeships Centre.
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Apprenticeships & traineeships
Completing an apprenticeship/traineeship
