A traineeship is normally completed before an apprenticeship for a number of industries such as the automotive repairs, sales and service industry. A traineeship results in a certificate or qualification in the selected traineeship such as Cert 2 in Automotive Mechanical Air Conditioning or Automotive Mechanical Tyre Fitting.

A traineeship is a structured training program of on-the-Job and off-the job training supplemented by related technical instruction to develop, maintain, and expand skills.

An employee and an employer sign a formal training agreement or contract of training which is required to be registered with the state or territory training authority before it is legal. The training agreement, like any other legal document, is a binding document which outlines the employers and trainee’s rights and obligations to provide and undertake training.

A trainee is normally a beginner in the specified trade and will commence the traineeship performing less technical tasks at the start, progressively becoming more productive with time and experience and as technical training is conducted. A trainee is expected to:

• apply themselves to their on-the-job training and make every effort to learn the trade and attain the skills in the selected traineeship 
• apply themselves to the off-the-job training, remembering that attendance is compulsory and satisfactory completion is a requirement for the issuing of a Certificate; and 
• co-operate with the employer in order to achieve the desired training outcomes.

On successful completion of a traineeship you have the option to:

• commence training in an apprenticeship in the same stream
• continue working in the area chosen