Apprentice

Australia

The distinction between the terms "apprentices" and "trainees" lies mainly around traditional trades and the time it takes to gain a qualification. The Australian government uses Australian apprenticeship centres to administer and facilitate Australian apprenticeships so that funding can be disseminated to eligible businesses, apprentices and trainees, supporting the whole process as it underpins the future skills of Australian industry. Australia also has a safety net in place for businesses and Australian apprentices with its group Training scheme. This is where businesses that are not able to employ the Australian apprentice for the full period until they qualify, are able to lease or hire the Australian apprentice from a group training organisation. It is a safety net, because the group training organisation is the employer and provides continuity of employment and training for the Australian apprentices.