APPRENTICESHIP INFORMATION

NECA Apprenticeship Pre-Selection Assessment

The NECA Apprenticeship Pre-Selection Assessment is designed to test a person’s potential to successfully complete the TAFE or off the job component of an electrical apprenticeship.  The results of the Apprenticeship Pre-Selection Assessment are circulated to prospective employers by NECA (provided of course that the person has given approval for this on their application form). 

These prospective employers will make contact directly with those candidates they wish to interview.  There are no guarantees that you will be invited to an interview.

Each individual participant will also have their results mailed to them by NECA.

For more information click here

Finding an Apprenticeship

In addition, NECA strongly suggests that you should also be pro-active in seeking an apprenticeship.  Rather than wait for a prospective employer to call you it is in your interests to contact prospective employers and apply for an apprenticeship.

Check the employment sections of the state and local newspapers.  It is also suggested that you look under “Electrical Contractors” in your Yellow Pages to develop a list of prospective employers and apply for an apprenticeship.  Employers generally react positively when job seekers are pro-active and display initiative in seeking a job.

Group Training Companies

Group Training Companies are another excellent employment option for people seeking an apprenticeship.  Group Training Companies employ the apprentice directly but place them with “host” employers to undertake the practical on the job training.  In this way apprentices are rotated through a number of different employers and gain exposure and experience in a range of environments.

Group Training Companies include:

370 degrees group – telephone 03 9381 1922 or www.370degrees.com.au

Further information about Group Training Companies can also be found on the webiste of Group Training Australia at www.grouptraining.com.au

Career Opportunities

Career opportunities for people in the electrical industry are many and varied.  An electrical apprenticeship is one of the best ways to build a career in that industry.  An electrical trade is highly regarded, it’s highly portable, well paid and many electricians go on to start their own businesses.

There are also a large number of related trades under the broad heading of Electrotechnology such as in air-conditioning and refrigeration, instrumentation and communications.

For further information about career opportunities visit www.ee-oz.com.au

Electrical Apprenticeships

An electrical apprenticeship takes four years and includes three years of TAFE studies (generally one day per week).

In some cases the TAFE studies or off the job training is conducted by “block release”.  Block release is where the job training is conducted periodically throughout the year in a block form of one of more consecutive weeks.

For persons undertaking an electrical apprenticeship the formal course undertaken at TAFE is UEE30807 Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician

Contracts of Training

Apprenticeships are covered by formal agreements known as either “Training Agreements” or “Contracts of Training”.  These agreements set out the training and supervision an employer must provide for the employee, as well as the employee’s obligations as an apprentice. Apprenticeship Centres

Contracts of Training can be obtained from your local New Apprenticeship Centre.  Call the Australian Apprenticeship Hotline on 133873 or visit www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au to find out the location of the centre nearest you.

Australian Apprenticeship Centres

Australian Apprenticeship Centres include:

• Providing information on Australian Apprenticeships options to job seekers, employers and other interested people
• Marketing and promoting Australian Apprenticeships in the local area
• Administering Commonwealth incentive payments to employers
• Working with the State/Territory Training Authority to provide an integrated service
• Establishing effective relationships with the Commonwealth’s contracted Job Network providers, training providers, schools and other organisations.