What is an Apprenticeship?

An Apprenticeship is a practical, hands on training program where you are paid while you learn. As an apprentice you are contracted to an employer to learn all about your chosen trade and become qualified in that trade. The apprenticeship is a combination of on-the-job practical training and off-the-job structured training at a Registered Training Organisation, such as MPA Skills. The term of a Plumbing and Gasfitting apprenticeship is four years and a Painting and Decorating apprenticeship is 3 years. This includes off-the-job training. In Western Australia apprenticeships are delivered under a competency based flexible training system. Workplace and off-the-job training and assessment procedures have been introduced based on the skills the apprentice should acquire over the term of the apprenticeship.

MPA Skills is considered by many to be the best industry apprenticeship program and also offers professional recruitment of apprentices to employers for short and long term period through its Group Training Organisation.

Looking to the Future

On completion of an apprenticeship, a tradesperson can start developing their experience. Their long-term goals may include:

• To set up his/her own business
• Become a supervisor or estimator
• Enter the sales and marketing or product development fields