Apprenticeships & traineeships

Some skills are best learnt on the job. 

By undertaking an apprenticeship or traineeship, you can earn while you learn, developing skills on site under the guidance of an experienced trade professional. 

Throughout, you will also receive support from Victoria University (VU) staff, and essential training in our multimillion-dollar facilities.

Explore our courses

With the exception of plumbing and eletrotechnology, all courses can also be undertaken as a standard course at VU; however, employers may prefer you to have the job training that comes with an apprenticeship or traineeship.

Pre-apprenticeship courses

You can boost your chances of securing an apprenticeship by first completing a pre-apprenticeship at VU. Usually completed over 3 or 4 months, a pre-apprenticeship course gives you hands-on, foundational skills that you can apply when you start your on-the-job training.

Apprenticeship courses

Apprenticeships combine paid job training with classes at VU. They teach skilled trades and take up to four years to complete. You can look up apprentice award pay rates.

Construction trade apprenticeships

*Certificate III in Carpentry is also available at the Geelong Industry Trade Training Centre (GITTC).

Service and creative trade apprenticeships

Traineeship courses

Like apprenticeships, traineeships combine paid job-training with on-campus classes. The main difference is they cover additional vocations, and may have different timeframes. You can look up award pay rates.

How to apply

Pre-apprenticeship applications

If you have decided to start with a pre-apprenticeship, you can apply for your course directly to VU.

Once you have completed the pre-apprenticeship course, you will apply for your apprenticeship as below, with additional guidance from VU staff.

Find out how to apply for a pre-apprenticeship TAFE course

Apprenticeship & traineeship applications

1. Find an employer

To get things started, you will need to find an employer who is keen to take on an apprentice or trainee.

Apprenticeships and traineeships are advertised on commercial job boards such as Seek, as well as government career sites. Sign up for job alerts using terms that match your end goal, like 'carpentry apprentice'. When you find an apprentice job you are interested in, apply as you would for an ordinary job.

Alternatively, look for an opportunity through a group training organisation (GTO). These organisations directly employ apprentices and trainees, then place them with suitable host employers. 

2. Get connected with an apprentice agency

Your employer will contact an Apprentice Connect Australia Provider to arrange the required contracts and agreements. These government-appointed agencies also provide support and guidance throughout your apprenticeship.

3. Enrol at VU

Once you accept an apprenticeship offer, your employer will contact us to discuss your training details and get you enrolled at VU.

4. Develop a training plan

VU will help you and your employer develop a training plan. This will outline how often you will go to classes at VU (e.g. one day per week or week blocks of training).

5. Start work & classes

Once your application process is complete, you will follow your training plan to attend work and classes.

Skills recognition

You may be able to complete your qualification sooner through formal recognition of your existing skills. This is known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

To receive RPL, we assess your previous work, education and life experiences against recognised qualifications.

Applications for RPL can be made prior to enrolling.

Call us on 1300 82 33 87 to discuss RPL options with the course manager.