Apprenticeships & Traineeships for training providers
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Approval to train apprentices and trainees
Training providers must be registered training organisations (RTOs) before they are allowed to train NSW apprentices and trainees. Only RTOs on the Approved Providers List (APL) can get funding to train apprentices and trainees.
Funding under the Apprenticeship & Traineeship Training Program (ATTP)
Approved RTOs (i.e. those on the Approved Providers List) can be paid to deliver the structured off-the-job training component of an apprenticeship or traineeship.
Funding, or rather, the purchase of these training services, is managed under the Apprenticeship & Traineeship Training Program (ATTP). Funding:
- is available for selected trades and all traineeships
- is available for school based apprenticeships and traineeships under specific circumstances
- may be available to give preliminary skills training to individuals prior to them taking up an apprenticeship or traineeship
- is not available for existing worker trainees (see the Productivity Places Program for funding for existing worker trainees)
The 2011-2012 Approved Providers List (APL) Contract documentation contains the APL contract tender requirements, an explanation of User Choice, lists of eligible apprenticeships and traineeships, funding, pricing, target groups etc.
RTOs must comply with the rules and regulations of the NSW apprenticeship and traineeship system.
User Choice
User Choice is a policy that allows employers and their apprentices/trainees to select the registered training organisation of their choice for the formal training component of the apprenticeship or traineeship.
In NSW, User Choice operates for all new entrant traineeships and selected apprenticeships in specific geographic regions.
Funding of registered training organisations for training delivered under User Choice is administered through the NSW Apprenticeship and Traineeship Training Program.
Apprenticeships delivered by TAFE NSW are outside the User Choice arrangements.
Guidelines
Some critical documents you need to read:
- A complete guide to apprenticeships and traineeships in NSW - explains the regulatory framework of the apprenticeship and traineeship system and provides information on participants' roles, responsibilities and funding.
- The 2011-2012 Approved Providers List (APL) Contract - details eligibility, delivery requirements and compliance, financial and legal issues, and includes attachments including the ATTP requirements and ATTP price rates.
- NSW Vocational Training Orders, Commissioner Information Bulletins and qualification documents - these three documents form a package of official information on individual or related apprenticeships or traineeships which includes job and qualification descriptions, competencies, training resources, industrial relations contacts etc.
Training plans
New training plan requirements will apply to all apprenticeship and traineeship applications lodged after 1 January 2011. Existing training plans can still be used during the transition period till 30 June 2011. After this date the new Training Plan must be used. Full details of the changes are in the Training Plan Guidelines below.
- New Training Plan (pdf) or (Word 2007)
- Training Plan Guidelines
- RTO Notification Process (pdf 207kb)
Training Plan Proposal
The Training Plan Proposal now replaces the Training Plan Summary and must be used immediately. No transition period applies.
Training packages
Training Packages are an endorsed collection of reference materials that define the national standards and qualifications for recognising and assessing people's skills in specific vocations. They include:
- competency units
- listing of qualifications
- assessment guidelines
- recognised training resources and links to the supplier/vendor.
Training Packages are created by national industry bodies such as skills councils and major employers.
When a new training package is created nationally, or an existing one amended, the relevant NSW Industry Training Advisory Body (ITAB) assesses the suitability of the package for endorsement of an apprenticeship or traineeship in NSW.
In NSW the primary source of information for apprenticeships and traineeships is the NSW Vocational Training Orders, Commissioner Information Bulletins and qualification documents. These form a package of official training information - job and qualification descriptions, lists of competencies, training arrangements and resources, industrial relations issues etc.
You can supplement this information
- using nationally endorsed training package material
- by purchasing Training Package support materials specifically designed for the NSW training market from Skills Online.
