What's Involved In an Apprenticeship
An apprenticeship is a carefully structured training programme combined with on-the-job practical experience.
Combining home study, some block courses and loads of workplace training apprentices work towards gaining a qualification recognised both in New Zealand and worldwide.
It is the ideal option for those who enjoy learning kinaesthetically and hands on rather than by reading and writing. Apprentices have the chance to work side by side with more experienced tradespeople, gaining valuable advice and support.
An apprenticeship usually takes between three to four years to complete and for many apprentices they continue working for their employer as a qualified tradesperson after finishing their apprenticeship.
There is no age limit to enter an Apprenticeship making it the ideal option for those who are already working in industry but wish to formalise their work experience and gain a recognised qualification.
Because the majority of the learning is done whilst working on the job, assessments need to be made to ensure that the apprentice becomes competent to complete a task and they pass their unit standards. This is done through the relative Industry Training Organisations Competenz for Engineering and Bakery or the Retail Meat ITO for Butchery or Hort ITO for Floristry.
What Qualification will I get?
Depending on your chosen speciality you will be accredited a National Certificate.
A National Certificate is a qualification registered with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) and is made up of unit standards from level 1 to 4. Each unit standard describes the skill, knowledge and competency level, which is worth a number of credits, that you must achieve to gain your National Certificate.