An Apprenticeship is a trade qualification that usually takes 3-4 years of on the job training complimented with formal training at a training organisation such as TAFE.
A Traineeship is a Certificate I, II or III level qualification that is not a trade. Traineeships usually takes 1-2 years and is on the job training possibly complimented with formal training at a training organisation such as TAFE.
Printing and Graphic Arts Training Package
There are 34 Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualifications in the training package designed specifically for printing and graphic arts. the nine areas covered are:
- Printing and Graphic Arts
- Graphic Media
- Printing
- Converting Binding and Finishing
- Sacks and Bags
- Mail House
- Cartons and Corrugating
- Ink Manufacture
- Management / Sales
How do I get started?
Once an employer and a person have agreed to undertake an apprenticeship the they need to contact an Australian Apprenticeship Centre (AAC) to draw up the contract.
AAC's are private organisations that are government funded so they do all the paper work for you for free. 
You can find an AAC by going to this website Australian Apprenticeship Centre Search
Are there any incentives?
The Australian Government has made apprenticeships much more attractive to employers and apprentices alike with a whole raft of incentives that are designed to attract young people to these exciting roles.
| Incentives / Allowances | Certificate II | Certificate III | Diploma & Adv Diploma |
| Standard Commencement | $1,250 | $1,500 | $1,500 |
| Recommencing Cert III or higher | nil | $750 | $750 |
| Completion | nil | $2,500 | $2,500 |
| Rural / Regional skills shortage commencement | nil | $1,000 | nil |
| Declared Drought Areas | |||
| Additional commencement | $1,500 | nil | nil |
| Special completion | $1,500 | nil | nil |
| Special Mature Aged Workers (45+) who have been welfare dependent, returning to work or those made redundant | |||
| Commencement | $750 | $750 | $750 |
| Completion | $750 | $750 | $750 |
| School-based Apprenticeship commencement | $750 | $750 | $750 |
| Special School-based Apprenticeships retention | $750 | $750 | $750 |
| Special Innovation incentive | nil | $1,100 | nil |
| Incentives / Allowances | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 |
| Living Away from Home | $77.17 pw | $38.59 pw | $25 pw |
| *Mid Career (30+) wage support | $150 pw | $100 pw | |
| Trade Learning Scholarship | $500 | $500 | |
| ***Tools of the trade | $800 | ||
| **Business Skills Vouchers | $500 | ||
pw = per week | |||
| * from July 1st 2007 | |||
* * accessible up to 2 years after completion of apprenticeship | |||
Some Useful Links - Government Websites
Australian Government Apprenticeship Home Page
For employers For job seekers For students Training Organisations
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