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Train as a trainee

Traineeships allow you to work and learn at the same time, helping you get into skilled work sooner. Studying a traineeship with TAFE Queensland will allow you to combine practical work experience with a nationally-recognised qualification and start working in your chosen industry sooner. 

As a trainee, you'll gain valuable experience in the workplace as well as hands-on training from TAFE Queensland. Learning from your employer as well as TAFE Queensland's skilled trainers will provide you with a well-rounded understanding of your industry and will set you up for a successful career. 

 

Traineeship study areas

Three are a wide range of study areas you can study as a traineeship including aged care, agriculture, beauty services, business, child care, community services, conservation and land management, dental assisting, education support, events, floristry, health care, horticulture, hospitality, IT, laboratory science, retail, and tourism. 

How does a traineeship work?

When you study as a trainee, it involves training from both an employer and a training provider. The first step in starting a traineeship is to find an employer who’s willing to hire you as a trainee. You’ll then both sign a training contract, a legally binding document that sets out the agreement between you and your employer to work and train together for the length of the traineeship. 

As part of the training contract, make sure you select TAFE Queensland as your Supervising Registered Training Organisation (SRTO). 

Once the paperwork is out of the way, you’ll officially start your traineeship, completing your qualification through TAFE Queensland while you work in industry putting your new skills into practice. 

Looking for an employer?

If you’re keen to start a traineeship but need help finding an employer, TAFE Queensland can help. We can connect you with an employer who’s looking to take on a trainee in your chosen industry.

What does a traineeship cost?

A traineeship is a solid investment in your future because your employer pays your wage and will usually pay for your education and training as well. If you’re employed as a trainee, your employer will generally cover your course costs and any required textbooks, however you may be required to pay a small student contribution fee to help cover the expense of your training.

Free traineeships for under 25s

The Queensland Government is supporting young Queenslanders up to the age of 25 by providing access to fully subsidised training across a range of priority apprenticeship and traineeship qualifications.

How is a traineeship different to an apprenticeship?

Traineeships and apprenticeships are similar in that they both combine on-the-job training with practical training in the classroom. However traineeships are more commonly in vocational fields including business, child care, and retail and normally last one to two years, while apprenticeships are typically in skilled trades such as plumbing, carpentry, or hairdressing and take around three to four years to complete. 

 

Flexible training options

During the sign-up process we‘ll discuss your options with you and your employer, so we can find the best training delivery that meets your unique needs. Available training options vary depending on the qualification type and location. 

Students are trained and assessed by our workplace training officers in their own workplace. 

Students can drop in to a TAFE Queensland campus at any time to train with a teacher without needing to schedule it in advance.

Training is delivered in study blocks of one to six weeks at one of our state-of-the-art training facilities.

Training is scheduled one day a week at one of TAFE Queensland’s training facilities.

We bring the tools and equipment to you in our mobile training van. 

Combine on-campus learning with online elements, some blocks, some day release, or anything in between.

The online virtual classroom program is delivered virtually, meaning students will participate in online delivery. 

School-based traineeships 

If you’re in high-school you can get a head start on your career with a school-based traineeship and start working in your chosen industry while you train towards a vocational qualification all while you complete your high school studies.

Photograph of Andy Quick, a Certificate IV in Fitness (SIS40215) student
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