Pre-apprenticeships
Thinking of joining a trade but not quite sure if you’ll like it? Gain experience and give yourself a great head start for an apprenticeship with Victoria University's pre-apprenticeship program. You get some off-the-job training as well as practical experience.
On this page
A pre-apprenticeship gives you the opportunity to gain a more realistic expectation of the work involved in a particular trade and develop some important basic trade skills. Employers prefer applicants that have undertaken a pre-apprenticeship when considering an apprentice.
At Victoria University we offer full time pre-apprenticeships for students who wish to leave school and continue into further education.
Time commitment
Each trade has a different delivery timetable.
Students will generally be required to attend classes three days per week for 17 weeks.
What trades are available?
Bricklaying
Bricklayers lay bricks, pre-cut stone, concrete blocks and other types of masonry building blocks in mortar to construct internal and external walls, repair walls and build foundations, partitions, arches and other structures.
Related Jobs: building contractor, carpenter, concreter, construction worker, plasterer, roofer, stonemason.
Bricklaying course details with information on how to apply.
Carpentry
Carpenters construct, erect, install, finish and repair wooden and metal structures and fixtures on residential and commercial buildings. Some carpenters may also carry out work on large concrete, steel and timber structures such as bridges, dams, power stations and civil engineering projects.
Specialisations: With further training and experience, a carpenter could become a building supervisor, building or construction manager, building inspector, trade teacher, estimator, building contract administrator or purchasing officer.
Related Jobs: bricklayer, cabinetmaker, home improvement installer, joiner, stonemason, wood machinist.
Carpentry course details with information on how to apply.
Electrician
Electricians install, maintain, repair, test and commission electrical and electronic equipment and systems for industrial, commercial and domestic purposes. Electricians may also work on electrical transmission and distribution equipment.
Specialisations: electrical motor winding tradesperson
Related Jobs: army - tradesperson, cable jointer, electronics and communications technician, lift electrician, locksmith.
Electrician course details with information on how to apply.
Engineering – Fabrication
Fabrication engineering tradespersons cut, shape, join and finish metal to make, maintain or repair metal products and structures. They may produce moulds or patterns for metal castings, apply coatings and work with a variety of materials.
Specialisations: blacksmith, boilermaker (heavy fabrication), electroplater, engineering patternmaker, foundry worker, moulder/coremaker, sheetmetal worker (light fabrication), welder - first class.
Related Jobs: aircraft maintenance engineer, engineering tradesperson - mechanical, shipwright.
Engineering – Fitting and Machining (Maintenance)
Mechanical engineering tradespersons carry out a range of mechanical work on machines, sub-assemblies and manufactured parts using a range of processes, tools and machines.
Specialisations: fitter, gunsmith, metal machinist, toolmaker.
Related Jobs: bicycle technician, brake mechanic, engineering tradesperson - fabrication, light engine mechanic, locksmith, textile mechanic.
Engineering - Fitting and Machining (Maintenance) course details with information on how to apply.
Furniture and Cabinet Making
Cabinetmakers make, repair or install furniture (both free-standing and fixed) using solid timber, flat-panel or timber-based products and a wide range of laminates and other materials. Cabinet makers also manufacture and install kitchens and bathrooms.
Related Jobs: carpenter, furniture polisher, joiner, picture framer, upholsterer, wood machinist.
Furniture and Cabinet Making course details with information on how to apply.
Hairdressing
Hairdressers cut, style, colour, straighten and permanently wave hair with chemical solutions, as well as provide clients with hair and scalp treatments. In most salons, the senior hairdressers and the more advanced apprentices cut and style hair.
Apprentice hairdressers undertake routine tasks in the initial stages, assisting senior hairdressers with client preparation, shampooing, application and removal of simple hairdressing treatments and sterilisation and maintenance of equipment. As apprentices gain experience they carry out more complex tasks under supervision.
Related Jobs: beauty therapist, make-up artist, trichologist.
Hairdressing course details with information on how to apply.
Joinery - Shopfitting - Stairbuilding
Joiners cut, shape and fit timber parts in workshops to form structures and fixtures, ready for installation.
Specialisations: With experience and sometimes further training, it is possible to become a technical teacher, estimator or purchasing officer.
Related Jobs: cabinetmaker, carpenter, wood machinist.
Joinery - Shopfitting - Stairbuilding course details with information on how to apply.
Plumbing
Plumbers lay out, install, test and maintain pipes, fixtures, metal roofing, fittings, gas meters and regulators.
Specialisation: drainer, gasfitter, irrigation installer, mechanical services plumber, roofing plumber, sprinkler fitter.
Related Jobs: army - tradesperson, refrigeration and air conditioning draftsperson.
Plumbing course details with information on how to apply.
Signage
Signmakers design, manufacture, install and paint signs for displays, buildings, signboards, boats, vehicles and structures.
Related Jobs: engraver, graphic designer, industrial spray painter, painter and decorator, screen printer/stencil preparer.
Signage course details with information on how to apply.
Contact us
Please contact our team for more information
Apprenticeship and Traineeship Support Unit
Phone : +61 3 9919 7350
Email: apprentices@vu.edu.au or trainees@vu.edu.au