apprenticeships are a longstanding system of combining training and employment so that people entering an occupation can receive instruction in the specific skills needed while working in that particular occupation. Apprentices benefit from having guaranteed employment while undertaking training.They have the opportunity to learn skills from experienced, skilled and qualified persons in their chosen occupation. Employers have the benefit of having an employee who can be trained in the particular skills their enterprise requires and who becomes increasingly productive as time passes. Apprentices can be paid a lower rate than a fully qualified worker during the training period.

Apprenticeship training occurs within a contract of training that reflects various requirements, conditions and obligations governing apprenticeships around the nation.

Apprenticeships were introduced to Australia in the early years of the development of Australia’s colonies, having been inherited from the British system of apprenticeship. Originally they involved employment and on-the-job instruction only, and were generally for periods of up to seven years. After World War II apprenticeship terms were set to a maximum of four years and attendance at off-the-job training courses became universal. This was typically for one day per week for three years (or its equivalent). Since 1994 the requirements for formal off-the-job training in apprenticeships have been relaxed and other flexibilities have been introduced to expand the ways in which apprenticeship training can be offered.This facilitated the introduction of part-time apprenticeships and school-based apprenticeships (i.e. apprenticeships undertaken by students who are also still at school).

Apprenticeships in Australia have mainly been confined to the skilled trades occupations, such as the metal and engineering trades, the automotive trades, the electrical and electronics trades, the building and construction trades and food trades. They have also been applied in some specific and related skilled occupations, hairdressing being the most notable. These jobs make up some 14% of all jobs in Australia.

traineeships were introduced in 1985 to complement traditional apprenticeships by extending the coverage of ‘apprenticeship-type’ training and employment to a much wider range of jobs across the whole labour market. Most of this training occurred within contracts of training of one year’s duration combining both employment and off-the-job formal training (although more recently longer contract periods for traineeships have been applied).

new apprenticeships were introduced in 1998 to establish a single integrated system of employment and training that incorporated what were formerly separate apprenticeship and traineeship systems. New apprenticeships cover all occupations where a contract of training applies, and can be applied to varying training periods (usually from one to four years) and various vocational qualification levels (from Certificate I to diploma).

Apprenticeship is also a generic term frequently used to describe traditional apprenticeships, traineeships and new apprenticeships. Contracts of training is another generic term used to describe the arrangements under which apprenticeships, traineeships and new apprenticeships operate.