As part of the Training Placement Agreement (TPA) an apprentice/trainee agrees to:

Make a commitment to fulfil work responsibilities:

• Making all reasonable efforts to achieve the competencies specified in the TPA and undertaking any training and assessment required
• Participating in the development of the TPA
• Attending training sessions or supervised workplace activities and taking advantage of learning opportunities
• Maintaining a record of training such as a Training Record Book

Make a commitment to fulfil training responsibilities:

• Making all reasonable efforts to achieve the competencies specified in the TPA and undertaking any training and assessment required
• Participating in the development of the TPA
• Attending training sessions or supervised workplace activities and taking advantage of learning opportunities
• Maintaining a record of training such as a Training Record Book

Unlike full-time TAFE or university, the Australian Government fully subsidises all the costs of training for school-based apprentices and trainees.

As a school-based apprentice/trainee you will receive a loaded hourly rate based on the Award wage. You will be paid for productive time spent in the workplace, though you will not be paid for time spent in off-the-job training, sick leave or holidays.

Students who do not complete their school-based qualification by the end of their secondary schooling will receive a Statement of Attainment (not a completion) for the competencies they have completed, and can then apply for a full-time apprenticeship/traineeship.

Once you have completed your qualification your Host is no longer required to keep you on as an employee, though they do have the option of offering you a full-time position.

If you complete your qualification while still at school, you may be eligible to start an additional Australian Apprenticeship or traineeship, which may attract additional Australian and State Government incentives. Speak to a MIGAS representative about this.

• By starting your qualification while still at school, you may become qualified and be able to get into the workforce sooner
• A qualification gives you the edge when looking for full-time employment after finishing school
• The working experience helps you to develop important workplace skills, confidence and experience that employers value
• A school-based qualification allows you to try out an occupation before making a long term career commitment
• It gives you the chance to earn an income while still at school
• Qualifications are competency based, allowing you to shorten your completion time if you get the work done quickly
• Training may be delivered on-the-job (at work), off-the-job (at a college/school), or a combination of both suiting your learning requirements and the qualification
• The qualification can help you to eventually owning your own business
• Unlike full-time TAFE and University, your training is subsidised by the State Government
• If you complete your qualification while still at school, you may be eligible to complete another additional Government funded qualification
• It provides a stepping stone to higher level studies
• Completed competencies are recorded on your Senior Statement/HSC from secondary school

As an Australian School-based Apprentice or Trainee you:

• Can still obtain a Senior Statement/HSC and achieve an Overall Position (OP) score
• Will normally work one set day per week, with the option of working after school hours, on weekends and during school holidays

Most apprenticeships and traineeships are funded by the Australian Government under a User Choice arrangement to cover the costs of training provided by the Supervised Registered Training Organisation (SRTO).

As an apprentice or trainee, you may be required by the State Government/SRTO to pay a nominal tuition fee, depending on the level of your qualification. Please check with MIGAS to find out whether this is required.

Five payments of $3800 Tools for your Trade incentives are made throughout the duration of your apprenticeship, issued by the Australian Government.

The Living Away From Home Allowance may be available to you as an apprentice/trainee – Check with MIGAS to see if you are eligible.

Traineeships traditionally have a nominal duration of between 12 and 24 months and include qualifications ranging from Certificate Level II to Certificate Level IV.

Apprenticeships traditionally take 36 months to 48 months to complete and include qualification levels from Certificate Level III to Certificate Level V.

Australian Apprenticeships and Traineeships are competency based, which means that the sooner you gain the required skills and knowledge the sooner you can gain your qualification.

If you have gained additional experience through formal or informal training, work experience or general life experiences, you may also be able to receive recognition for your prior learning (RPL) – further reducing the time it takes for you to complete your qualification.

The Tools For Your Trade (TFYT) payments are available to any Australian Apprentices undertaking a Certificate III or IV qualification leading to a trade occupation that is listed on the National Skills Needs List.  To view this current list, visit australianapprenticeships.gov.au.  A Certificate II, III or IV in Horticulture in regional or rural Australia may also be eligible for TFYT payments.  Check with MIGAS about whether you apprenticeship is elgible when applying!

The TFYT payments are delivered in five tax exempt cash payments totalling up to $5500 over the life of the apprenticeship.

Payments are made as follows:

• $800 payable after 3 months
• $1000 payable after 12 months
• $1000 payable after 24 months
• $1200 payable after 36 months
• $1500 payable upon successful completion of the Australian Apprenticeship

Australian Apprentices may be eligible for one or more of these payments during the course of their apprenticeship.  Your Australian Apprenticeships Centre will assess your eligibilty for each of the payments.

There are alternate payments and eligibility requirements for those apprentices who commenced their Australian Apprenticeship before 1 January 2011.  There are also alternate payment months for part-time Australian Apprentices and School-Based Apprentices.  Feel free to ask MIGAS for an up-to-date TFYT Fact Sheet.

If you are a trainee, you are not eligible for a tool allowance or the TFYT incentive.

• We offer access to a large number of job opportunities in a wide range of industries
• We review Host workplaces to ensure they provide a safe working environment for you
• We provide you with basic safe-working practices and training before you start your job
• We ensure that your employer meets all Award work conditions
• We support you in all ways possible to ensure smooth sailing through your apprenticeship/traineeship
• We supply uniforms, boots and an initial safety pack (conditions apply) so that you are work-ready for your apprenticeship/traineeship
  • If your Host placement doesn’t work out, and it is not your fault, we
    find a new workplace for you to continue your apprenticeship or
    traineeship
  • We arrange your theory training and monitor your progress closely to ensure you pass – you can’t complete your qualification if you don’t pass your theory training

MIGAS is your legal employer, so you have someone looking out for your best interests at all times.

MIGAS is an employer of apprentices and trainees that places them with Participating Training Companies (Hosts) for the duration of their Australian Apprenticeship or Traineeship.

MIGAS makes it easy for you to be an apprentice or trainee.  We offer rewarding careers in a wide range of industries, and make sure you stay in a job at all times.

We:

• Advertise apprenticeship and traineeship opportunities (in accordance with the Host companies)
• Conduct initial interviews
• Organise your placement into a Host company where you will complete your on-the-job training
• Organise your formal theory training, whether it be at TAFE or in the workplace
• Pay you on a weekly basis for the hours you work
• Take care of worker’s compensation, Superannuation and process your leave
• Supply some uniforms and boots and help you with tools (conditions apply)
• Regularly asses your performance and progression, and make sure you’re keeping on track
• Rotate you to other workplaces so you get the experience you need in your chosen qualification
• Ensure you stay in a workplace at all times if possible, especially if your Host doesn’t have enough work for you
• Give you quality advice the entire way and are there to make your experience uncomplicated