Here's Why a Traineeship Is the Perfect Way to Get a Feel for Your Future Career

Find your dream career and earn while you learn.

This post is presented in partnership with AFL SportsReady.

When students are asked to decide what they are going to do after high school, they're usually told to consider tertiary study of some kind or instructed to jump straight into work. But what if we said there's a way to combine both via a traineeship?

In fact, a traineeship doesn't simply help you earn money earlier; it can also set you up for your dream career. Let's look at what traineeships are, how they differ from other pathways, and the kinds of careers a traineeship can open up for you!

What is a traineeship?

A traineeship combines on-site workplace learning with the achievement of a formal qualification studied through a Registered Training Operation (RTO). Or in simpler terms, while you work on the job, you also gain a formal qualification to kick-start your career.

You can also complete a traineeship with a Group Training Organisation (GTO) like AFL SportsReady. As a GTO AFL SportsReady finds a suitable host employer for the trainee and delivers the education through their RTO.

The qualifications you can gain range from a Certificate II all the way through to an Advanced Diploma, so you are guaranteed to get the training that you want, at the level that you want.

People often get traineeships and apprenticeships confused, so let’s define them. While they’re both very similar, they tend to have different lengths of completion time, different types of employers, and sometimes even different levels of government funding as well. 

Apprenticeships tend to take between three and a half to four years to complete but a traineeship usually takes just a few months. Apprenticeships also tend to have government funding associated with them and apprentices may jump between employers to complete their qualification, whereas traineeships don’t.

Traineeships are great because they don’t take forever to complete. You could be fully qualified for your dream career within nine to 48 months depending on the Certificate and the level taken, and you can complete your traineeship at a full-time or part-time pace. In fact, you can even start while you’re still in high school.

You can think of a traineeship as a 12-month ‘apprenticeship for the office’, that combines full-time work with a little bit of study.

There are currently over 500 RTOs nationwide, so you’re sure to find a qualification and institution that’s right for you.

Is it the right path for me?

Traineeships are such an awesome option after high school. You will gain so many benefits from a trainee experience that you won’t be able to find anywhere else.

As a trainee, you will earn while you learn. Instead of having to fork out massive tuition fees for uni, you will get paid a national training wage while you study.

By being a trainee, you’ll get the benefit of real workplace experience and skills that will help you in developing your career (it’ll look awesome on your resume).

Starting your career with a traineeship also gives you the opportunity to meet so many awesome and inspiring people. With this pathway, you will build a network of key industry contacts that will help you branch out to future job opportunities.

You will also gain the confidence of knowing that you will be supported through every step of your traineeship experience. The dedicated Field Officers and Educators at AFL SportsReady are there to help with mentoring or networking opportunities. They can also answer any questions you have about your experience.

Your traineeship can also give you a head start into uni if you want to do further study. Most traineeships will give you direct university entry and course credit to universities that partner with your education provider.

What kind of careers can a traineeship get me into?

Traineeships offer students a super diverse range of study and career options. Anywhere from business to education, sports management to health services, performing arts to hospitality and even customer service or local government.

If you want to pursue a career in education, why not make a start as a Learning Support Aide? Or if you’re a superfan of sports and keeping active, you could start your career as a PE Assistant.

There are so many options available and many of these jobs can give you a head start to study at uni later on down the track if that is your goal.

If you’re not sure where to start, you can search for traineeship opportunities on the AFL SportsReady Jobs Board to find out what opportunities are available right now.

You can find out more about traineeship opportunities and how to get started on your dream career on the AFL SportsReady website.

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