Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander school-based traineeships

TMR is committed to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to build their knowledge and skills, and help shape their own futures.

We are offering 2-year school-based traineeships to students who identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, enrolled and attending a registered school.

School based traineeships have enormous benefits for young people who prefer hands-on learning and can help develop skills, knowledge and confidence.  

Note: TMR will be using the User Choice Policy for these traineeships, which may affect access to future funding. 

What is a school-based traineeship?

A school-based traineeship combines paid work, training and school.  

It allows high school students (years 10, 11 & 12) to work for an employer and train towards a recognised qualification while completing their secondary schooling.

Eligibility for school-based traineeships

To be eligible you must:

• identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person.
• be enrolled and attending a registered school in the senior phase of learning (years 10, 11 & 12).
• be an Australian citizen, permanent resident with permanent home address in Australia.

How to apply for a Traineeship

• You will need to provide a brief resumé or written description of your background and skills and a copy of your latest academic report.
• We will partner with the Department of Seniors, Disability Services, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships (DSDSATSIP), Education Queensland, the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training (DESBT), schools, and any other avenues available to identify suitable applicants.
• We may choose to hold informal interviews with candidates.

Traineeship conditions

This traineeship will give students the opportunity to put skills learned at school and training into practice in a real work environment. 

A school-based traineeship will be completed while the student is still enrolled at their school. The traineeship provides 1 day of paid employment per week (minimum 375 hours paid employment over each 12 month period). 

Students will be asked to complete a Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) questionnaire to ensure any LLN issues are identified upfront.

Training

TMR, the student and parent (or guardian) will be required to sign a training contract with the help of an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) provider.

A Registered Training Organisation (RTO) will provide all training and assessment for the traineeship. The RTO will work with the student and host area of TMR to develop a training plan. The training plan will outline:

• training needs
• how and when training will take place
• who will provide training
• how training will be assessed. 

Paid work

Trainees are employed on a temporary basis, paid fortnightly and are covered by all of TMR’s applicable insurances, including workers compensation, while at work.

The base hourly wage rate for school-based apprentices and trainees is based on the wage progression arrangement listed in the Apprentices’ and Trainees’ Wages and Conditions (Queensland Government Departments and Certain Government Entities) Order.

We may provide additional working hours over school holidays if both parties agree. This is strongly encouraged to maximise the experience and help reach the required hours.

Traineeship locations

Traineeship locations will change based on the available opportunities. 

Travel subsidies

School-based trainees may also be eligible, through the relevant school sector, to receive travel subsidies to attend the portion of their training which is delivered by their RTO. State school students may apply using the School-based Apprenticeships and Traineeships Travel and Accommodation Subsidy Claim Form available on the DESBT website.

Qualifications

The traineeship counts towards the award of a QCE and towards a vocational qualification. It can also count towards a selection rank for university. A Certificate III Engineering (Technical) is the preferred qualification, but business areas in TMR can choose another relevant qualification.

The qualification or competencies completed during the School-based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SAT) are contributing studies to a Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) and will be recorded in the student’s learning account. For more details on how a SAT affects the QCE, please refer to the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority.

For an early completion of a traineeship, the school-based trainee must have undertaken at least 375 hours of paid employment and DESBT is satisfied that a regular program of paid work has maintained the validity of the training contract. All required off-the-job training is completed and the parties agree that the trainee is competent.

If you are interested or would like more information, email us at TMR_School-based Traineeships@tmr.qld.gov.au.