TAFE Apprenticeships and Traineeships
From applying to your first day of study or training and beyond, we are here to guide you every step of the way.
Before you apply, you will need to have a Unique Student Identifier (USI). If you do not have a USI, creating one is quick and easy. Visit the USI website to create one. International students can apply for a USI once in Australia.
If you wish to undertake an Apprenticeship or Traineeship at CQUniversity, contact an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (Apprenticeship Network) provider.
Australian Apprenticeship Support Network Providers will:
- help you find an employer,
- provide a training contract for you and your employer to sign,
- assess you for a Trade Support Loan and other payments,
- provide advice and support to you during your apprenticeship.
Contact details for Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) in Queensland:
- Busy at Work – 13 28 79
- MAS Experience – 1300 627 628
- MEGT – 13 6348
- Sarina Russo - 1300 178 776
You can also contact an employer directly to discuss an apprenticeship or traineeship with them.
Application Process
Your AASN will submit your application to CQUniversity, and CQUni will process your admission.
Before you enrol, all new CQUniversity students need to complete the BKSB Maths and English initial assessments or provide evidence of equal higher-level qualification.
You will receive an email to guide you through the BKSB. Your enrolment cannot progress until you have completed the initial assessments.
A TAFE Partnerships Advisor will email and call you to ensure you have provided your USI and completed your Basic Key Skills Builder (BKSB).
Once you have completed these components, we will call you to complete your sign up and provide you and your employer with your training plan.
Once your application has been processed, you will receive an important email that welcomes you and contains important information about your apprenticeship. Please read it carefully and keep it handy so you can refer to it throughout your program.
There are other steps and information you need to be aware of for your apprenticeship or traineeship.
Student ID
You will receive a Student ID number once you are enrolled. You can activate your student account online. Please keep this number somewhere you can easily access it.
Student Systems
Your Student ID number will allow you to access the student systems. You will utilise MyCQU and your Student email throughout your traineeship or apprenticeship.
Once your student account is activated, you will have access to an official CQUniversity student email account. All students are expected to check this email account at least once a week, as this is the University's official method of communication.
To access your student email, visit http://mail.cqumail.com or log into your MyCQU and select the email icon in the top right-hand corner.
MyCQU is your gateway to all the advice, services, and resources you will need to stay organised and supported throughout your learning journey. You can update your personal details, access your online learning environment (Moodle) and your student email via MyCQU.
To access MyCQU, visit my.cqu.edu.au and log in using your student ID and password.
Should you require help activating your account or any other technical assistance, contact Technology and Services Assistance Centre (TaSAC) via email or phone, 07 4930 9090.
Ready Skills
As part of the apprenticeship/traineeship, you are required to maintain a Training Record through the MyProfiling app. You can log in anytime to enter your weekly cards. You must keep this up to date at all times.
Training Plan
Every apprentice/trainee has an Individual Training Plan. You will soon receive an email from Ready Skills (MyProfiling) with a copy of your Training Plan. The Training Plan is an important document for the apprenticeship.
Once finalised, the Training Plan will be located within Ready Skills (MyProfiling), which you can access anytime to view your results and progression.
As a school-based apprentice or trainee, some additional requirements must be met. You must work at least 375 hours per year, this is usually done as one full day per week instead of attending school. You can do extra during the school holidays if your employer agrees.
If you are using this apprenticeship/traineeship to earn points towards your QCE, please ask your school to contact me to ensure you are enrolled insufficient training to meet this.
For apprentices, you can only complete up to 33% of your apprenticeship whilst in a school-based apprenticeship. When you graduate year 12, you will automatically be transitioned to a full-time apprenticeship unless we hear otherwise from you or your employer.
For trainees, If you plan on completing the traineeship before graduating year 12, you must have all units of competency finalised before October your final year of high school to ensure the traineeship contributes to your QCE. If you do not complete it before you finish grade 12, you will be automatically transitioned to a full-time traineeship unless we hear otherwise from you or your employer.
If you have completed any training at school or with another training provider, you must provide us with copies of your Statement of Attainment or Results, or a USI Transcript so that we can determine if you are eligible for any Credit Transfers.
If you have existing skills and knowledge in this trade area, you may be eligible to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning. This can be a way to fast track you through the qualification and means you won’t have to attend training in the units you are already competent in. For more information about RPL, contact RPL@cqu.edu.au.
Health and Safety
CQUniversity offers the latest industry-based training with all programs being fully accredited and endorsed by the industry. CQUniversity's strong engagement with industry also means the training delivered is based on the latest skilling and industry requirements.
Students undertaking apprenticeship or traineeships must follow these requirements. You can view your program requirements online.
Face Fit Testing
Students undertaking practical activities in workshops at CQUniversity are required to follow Health and Safety requirements.
Students may be exposed to airborne contaminants such as dust or welding fume whilst undertaking practical activities. To minimise the risk, students are required to wear respiratory protection (minimum P2) which is either supplied by the University or by you or your employer.
AS/NZS1715 states that any person that wears respiratory protection equipment (RPE), as part of their work, must undertake Qualitative Fit Testing to ensure you are protected from any hazardous particles.
How to Meet Health and Safety Requirements
To ensure that CQUniversity meets this legislative requirement we are requesting that you follow the instructions below:
- If you have/use a positive pressure air supply welding helmet, you will be required to bring this helmet to your training and won’t need to do anything further. You will be asked to wear this helmet while welding, grinding and hot works activities are taking place in the designated areas within the campus. The designated areas are displayed on entry to the workshop facilities.
- If you use a disposable P2 mask, you will be required to supply your fit test card to your teacher on the first day of each training block. Please remember fit test cards are only valid for 12 months and while using these masks, you are required to be clean-shaven at all times whilst wearing your mask. Please refer to the legislation for more details.
- If you don’t have a mask or your fit test card has expired, you will be required to purchase a positive pressure air supply welding helmet (at your own cost) or organise a fit test to be completed through your teacher on the first day of your training. For your fit test, you will be required to be clean-shaven before the assessment.
For all enquiries, please contact the Occupational Health and Safety Unit.