Does My Apprentice Have to Attend Off-Site Training?

Yes. Off-the-job training with a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) is a mandatory component of every Australian Apprenticeship. As the employer, you are legally obligated to release your apprentice or trainee for scheduled training. Or with a GTO like MIGAS, we manage all training scheduling and coordination on your behalf so you can plan ahead with confidence.

Why Off-the-Job Training is Required

An Australian Apprenticeship leads to a nationally recognised qualification under the Australian Qualifications Framework. That qualification has two components that must both be satisfied: the practical on-the-job experience gained in your workplace, and the formal theoretical training delivered by a Registered Training Organisation.

Neither component can substitute for the other. The on-the-job training develops practical competency in the workplace. The off-the-job training provides the underpinning knowledge, theory and formally assessed units that are required for the qualification. Both are mandatory, and both are recorded in the Training Contract.

Releasing your apprentice for scheduled off-the-job training is not optional. It is a legal obligation under the Training Contract and the relevant State or Territory training legislation.

How Off-the-Job Training is Structured

Off-the-job training is typically delivered in one of two ways depending on the trade, the RTO and the training plan agreed at the start of the apprenticeship.

Block release

Block release involves the apprentice attending the RTO for a consecutive block of days or weeks at scheduled intervals throughout the year. Blocks are typically planned well in advance, often at the start of each year, which allows you to schedule work and manage resourcing around the apprentice's absence.

Block release is the most common delivery model for traditional trade apprenticeships. Blocks typically run for one to three weeks at a time, several times a year depending on the trade and year level of the apprenticeship.

Day release

Day release involves the apprentice attending the RTO one day per week on an ongoing basis. This model is more common for traineeships and some trade apprenticeships depending on the RTO and the agreement in place.

Day release spreads the training more evenly across the year and means the apprentice is away from your workplace for one day each week rather than for concentrated blocks. Some businesses prefer this model as it has less impact on operational continuity at any one time.

Flexible delivery

For some traineeships, particularly in vocational areas such as business administration, off-the-job training may be delivered more flexibly, including online or blended learning arrangements.

This can reduce the need for physical absence from the workplace and allows training to be fitted around work commitments more easily.

The suitability of flexible delivery depends on the qualification and the RTO.

What Are Your Obligations as an Employer?

As an employer of Australian Apprentices, your obligations in relation to off-the-job training include:

Releasing the apprentice for all scheduled training as outlined in the Training Plan
Paying the apprentice for the time they spend in off-the-job training, as required under the relevant Award
Not scheduling conflicting work commitments during training blocks
Supporting the apprentice to complete assessments and meet training milestones
Communicating with the RTO issues arise that affect training attendance

Failure to release an apprentice for scheduled training is a breach of the Training Contract and can have serious consequences, including intervention by the State or Territory Training Authority.

Planning Around Training Blocks

One of the practical concerns for host businesses, particularly those running lean teams or project-based operations, is managing productivity when an apprentice is away at training.

The key is forward planning. Training blocks are scheduled well in advance, which means you have time to adjust work schedules, redistribute tasks or plan project milestones around the apprentice's absence. Most businesses find that with adequate notice, managing around training blocks is straightforward.

It is also worth keeping in mind that the off-the-job training component is what produces a fully qualified tradesperson at the end of the apprenticeship. The short-term impact on your operations is a necessary part of the longer-term investment you are making in developing a skilled worker.

How MIGAS Manages Training Coordination

When you host an apprentice through a GTO like MIGAS rather than employing them directly, we take care of all RTO scheduling and training coordination on your behalf. This includes:

Selecting a suitable TAFE or RTO for the trade and location
Booking and scheduling training blocks in advance and in consultation with your supervisors
Monitoring attendance and following up any absences
Managing training plan updates and variations as required
Maintaining all required records and documentation
Acting as the liaison between your business, the apprentice and the RTO throughout the apprenticeship

This means you receive advance notice of upcoming training blocks and can plan your operations accordingly, without having to manage the administrative relationship with the RTO yourself.

Want to Find Out More?

If you are looking to hire an apprentice or trainee and would like to understand how off-the-job training would work for your business, contact the MIGAS team for an obligation-free conversation. We can walk you through what to expect based on the specific trade and your operational requirements.