Pivot Point Academy News

School based hairdressing apprenticeships are an excellent option for secondary school students seeking to become a hairdresser or get a head start on their career. Below, we’ll take a look at some FAQs for those considering school based apprenticeship for their hairdressing education.

School Based Hairdressing Apprenticeship FAQ

Q: What is a school based hairdressing apprenticeship?

A: An Australian School-based Apprenticeship is an Australian Apprenticeship which is undertaken part-time while the Australian Apprentice is at school. An Australian School-based Apprenticeship arrangement combines paid employment as an apprentice or a trainee, off-the-job vocational training and senior secondary school studies.

An Australian School-based Apprenticeship provides senior secondary school students with hands-on industry experience, and the ability to work towards or complete a nationally recognised qualification, while they complete their senior school certificate.

Q: What does an Australian School-based Apprenticeship involve?

A: An Australian School-based Apprentice undertakes a combination of secondary school subjects, paid work and vocational training undertaken on or off the job. An Australian School-based Apprentice can undertake training in a traditional trade or other occupation at the Certificate I, II, III, IV, Diploma or Advanced Diploma level.

Training delivered by a Registered Training Organisation may be undertaken for a couple of hours every week or for a longer block of time, less frequently. This will depend on the requirements of the Registered Training Organisation and the vocational training course. Australian School-based Apprentices will need to negotiate time-release from their school subjects to attend work and training, arranging to catch up on any school material they miss at a later date.

The number of hours an Australian School-based Apprentice needs to be employed per week differs between States and Territories based on their legislation. Some Australian School-based Apprentices can undertake their paid employment outside of school hours, such as on the weekend, however others must take time during school hours to work and this depends on the requirements of the employer.

Q: How long does an Australian School-based Apprenticeship take?

A: An Australian Apprenticeship can take from one to four years to complete, depending on the type of Australian Apprenticeship, the industry and the qualification undertaken. Some Australian School-based Apprentices will be able to complete their training when they finish their secondary schooling, while others will need to finish their training after they graduate from secondary school. This depends on the qualification undertaken and the speed at which they progress through their training.

Australian School-based Apprentices may be granted (recognition of prior learning) credit for any skills they already have and any prior experience in the workplace, potentially reducing their training time.

Q: How are Australian School-based Apprentices paid?

A: Australian Apprentices (including Australian School-based Apprentices) are employed under a federal or state award or agreement which sets out their wage and conditions of employment.

Q: How do I find an Australian School-based Apprenticeship?

Talk to your school’s career advisers or teachers about Australian School-based Apprenticeships.

Find an employer willing to take you on as an Australian School-based Apprentice.

You can do this by:

• looking in the job vacancy ads in your local paper or on the web

• contacting the Job Services Australia provider in your region

• contacting employers in the industries you’d like to work in. Go and see them and leave a copy of your résumé

• contacting a Group Training Organisation.

Q: Can I, or my employer, receive any financial support during my Australian School-based Apprenticeship?

A: Australian School-based Apprentices undertaking training at a range of Certificate II and above level qualifications may be eligible for personal benefits where they meet the relevant eligibility criteria.

Employers hiring Australian School-based Apprentices may be eligible to receive incentive payments under the Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program.

This may include the following specific incentive payments to employers for recruiting and retaining an Australian School-based Apprentice:

• $750 for the commencement of an endorsed Australian School-based Apprentice at the Certificate II to IV level, Diploma and Advanced Diploma qualifications; and

• $750 for the retention of the Australian School-based Apprentice once they have successfully completed their senior school certificate.

Both personal benefits for Australian Apprentices and incentives for employers are subject to eligibility criteria.

To find out more about personal benefits for Australian Apprentices and incentives for employers contact your local Australian Apprenticeships Centre.

Q: Where can I find out more?

For more information about Australian Apprenticeships contact your local Australian Apprenticeships Centre, or visit australianapprenticeships.gov.au, or call the Australian Apprenticeships referral line on 13 38 73 to find Australian Apprenticeships Centres in your region.

The above information is courtesy of the Facts Sheets page of Australian Government Australian Apprenticeships website and is accurate at the date of publication, though information may be subject to change in future. To get further current information visit:

http://www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au/FAQ/Publications.asp

Pivot Point Academy Sydney and Pivot Point Academy Melbourne both offer excellent training for school-based apprentices. To find out more , visit our apprenticeship page or contact us.