In WA? Existing worker traineeships could be an opportunity to grow your team

The West Australian government has created a platform for employers to upskill and develop their workforce. 

Existing Worker Traineeships (EWTs) offer structured on the job learning, managed by an accredited TAFE college or private training provider, allowing employees to deepen and broaden their workplace skills and knowledge and get a nationally recognised vocational education and training (VET) qualification. 

Applicable to more than 60 qualifications across a number of sectors and industries including early childhood education and care (ECEC) EWTs support employers to save money on recruitment as well as boosting the number of qualified workers in WA. 

Selected EWTs in priority areas including ECEC, aged care and community support; information technology and cyber security; construction and early education services are now available with reduced course fees. 

EWTs are delivered via a program of structured on the job learning, managed by an accredited TAFE college or private training provider, and on the job learning via work-based projects. To ensure minimal disruption to workplace productivity the extent of any off the job training will be negotiated between the employer and the training provider to ensure that business needs are accommodated.

In the ECEC space EWTs can support employees to provide consistent, quality care to best practice standards, and give ECEC businesses a competitive edge through the provision of high quality childhood education and care services. 

They are also an excellent choice for creating a pathway for further learning and/or career progression within teams to meet any future business needs.

Both Certificate III and Diploma level qualifications are included in the program. EWTs work in much the same way as a regular traineeship. 

How does the training work?: a guide for employers

• The training provider will usually visit your workplace first, to familiarise themselves with the set up and facilities as well as the kind of work the trainees are doing
• Your trainee/s will be assigned tasks for the units in the EWT, based on their job role and duties — these are usually completed either in a workbook or online
• Your TAFE college or private training provider will negotiate a schedule of workplace visits with you — generally fortnightly or monthly — so they can visit the trainee/s to monitor their progress, and provide mentoring and coaching etc as required
• If you have a number of staff doing an EWT, you may be able to arrange short  group training sessions in the workplace — this may be more time efficient  for you, your staff, and your business
• Your staff undertaking the traineeship may be eligible for recognition of prior learning — your training provider will help you with this process
• Trainees will be awarded the nominated qualification following a competency-based assessment, in the workplace, where they will be required to demonstrate their skills and knowledge

An AASN (Australian Apprenticeship Support Network) provider will work with each ECEC service to choose a qualification and a training provider that suits their needs, and will organise all the paperwork, including lodging the training contract with the Department of Training and Workforce Development’s Apprenticeship Office.

View the full list of existing worker traineeships (select the EWT tab) or call the Apprenticeship Office helpline on 13 19 54 for more information.

A fact sheet has been prepared and may be accessed here.