Information for agencies and workplace supervisors

Students will submit their application form directly to the contact you provide on your agency profile. See key dates for timelines. 

Their application needs to include: 

• a completed school based trainee application form
• a current resume
• Year 10 semester one report with Year 9 NAPLAN, OLNA results or subject grades 
• any other additional information you requested in your agency profile.

Contact the student directly to request any missing documentation, including the student’s parent/guardian and school VET coordinator in all correspondence.

Assessment and selection

Agencies are responsible for conducting all recruitment processes. This includes: 

• reviewing each student’s application 
• ensuring all necessary documentation is included
• confirming each student’s eligibility to undertake a school based traineeship 
• undertaking inclusive and age appropriate assessment processes.

Interviews are good opportunities for the trainee to become familiar with your agency and gain some experience in a professional interview process.

Ensure your interview practices are inclusive, age appropriate and suitable for the limited professional experience of applicants. 

Your Apprentice Connect Australia Provider can provide guidance if required.

Offers of employment

• Your offer of employment to your preferred candidate should occur as per your usual agency processes, including any required screening checks.
• Notify all applicants of the outcome of the selection process as soon as possible. 
• The employment contract should reflect your agreed hours (usually 15 hours per week) and days (usually Thursdays and Fridays). 
• The 18 month fixed term contract should include dates that align to the traineeship dates. See key dates for details.

Agencies are required to select a provider from Apprentice Connect Australia Providers.

There are 3 providers to choose from in Western Australia:

• The Busy Group
• Apprenticeship Support Australia
• MEGT Australia

Agencies must provide the selected Apprentice Connect Australia Provider with the details of the trainee and work with the provider to arrange a time to sign the training contract with the trainee and parent and/or guardian.

• Agencies must select a registered training organisation (RTO) to deliver the training for the Certificate II in Government qualification.
• The RTO may visit your agency throughout the traineeship to provide support and advice to the trainee and supervisor and to conduct assessments though observation of work tasks.
• There are 2 RTOs currently delivering the Certificate II in Government in Western Australia:
  • Aspire Performance Training
  • Skills Strategies International

The agency, trainee, parent and/or guardian (where applicable), and the registered training organisation (RTO) work together to develop a training plan.

• The RTO must have a signed training plan within 6 weeks of a training contract being registered.
• For a school based traineeship, the training plan also requires endorsement by the school.

School based traineeships are competency based, which means tasks completed by trainees are used as evidence to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding, and to meet the requirements of the Certificate II in Government.

Job tasks must be aligned with the units of competency within the qualification. The RTO can provide guidance on job tasks best suited to each cluster of learning.

The Department of Training and Workforce Development funds all School Based Traineeships, therefore the Certificate II in Government is fee exempt.

Other costs: 

When you select the RTO, check whether they have any site visit requirements for the trainer and assessor.

There may be costs associated with travel for regional site visits.  However, this may not be required and alternative observation and assessment may be possible. Discuss with the RTO prior to confirming. 

• Provide trainees with all relevant details ahead of their first day in February, including start time and location.
• Trainees should complete your agency’s induction and mandatory training program.

• The trainees typically attend the workplace on Thursdays and/or Fridays. However alternate days can be negotiated. 
• The trainee's school must agree to release them from school. This is confirmed as part of the student’s application form. 
• Students attend school for the remaining weekdays, completing Years 11 and 12.
• Trainees will work during the school holidays unless you have approved their paid or unpaid leave.
• Before approving leave, keep in mind, there are minimum hours of work required to complete a school based traineeship.  

It is your agency’s responsibility to fund and pay the trainee’s wage for the duration of the 18 month fixed term contract.

Terms and conditions of employment are defined by the award or industrial agreement applicable to your agency.

School based traineeships are competency based, therefore tasks completed by trainees are used as evidence to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding, and to meet the requirements of the Certificate II in Government.

Job tasks must be aligned with the units of competency within the qualification. The Registered Training Organisation can provide guidance on job tasks best suited to each cluster of learning.

You must nominate a staff member to be a workplace supervisor to support and advise the trainee. 

When selecting a workplace supervisor it is important to ensure the person is well suited to the role. The supervisor should be: 

• confident and comfortable working with young people
• approachable and can communicate clearly and effectively
• available to provide ongoing consistent support
• willing to provide constructive guidance to support the trainee’s professional growth.

In addition to usual employee management duties, the supervisor is responsible for:

• acting as the primary contact for advice, questions and day to day support
• providing opportunities for the trainee to develop the knowledge and skills required for their role and to demonstrate competency in their Certificate II in Government units 
• planning, allocating and providing training and instruction on meaningful work tasks. 

To help prepare your workplace supervisor, consider having them complete training on workplace supervision for trainees, some Apprentice Connect Australia providers offer free online training. 

Similarly your registered training organisation provides guidance on approaches to training in the workplace. 

The Department of Education Training Services NSW has a helpful series of videos on supervising trainees that go into more detail on how to get the best out of trainee employees.

Workplace supervisors play a key role in delivering practical training which is essential for building the skills trainees need for future employment and for achieving the competencies in their training plan.

Workplace supervisors should ensure the tasks assigned to the trainees reinforce the units of competency, giving trainees meaningful opportunities to apply and develop their knowledge in real work situations.

This includes setting clear expectations, demonstrating tasks, supervising practice, providing feedback and progressively increasing responsibility as skills develop.

Your Registered Training Organisation can guide supervisors on effective approaches, help tailor support to the trainee’s needs and ensure workplace experience aligns with formal training requirements.

You should manage your trainee’s performance and conduct in the same way as any other employee, while considering their age and level of workplace experience. 

Being a trainee there are also additional avenues of support including the trainee’s school VET coordinator or your Apprentice Connect Australia provider, who can assist with advice and intervention if needed.

We encourage you to discuss future employment opportunities with your trainee to help them decide their next steps.