User Choice Apprenticeships And Traineeships Funding

What is User Choice Apprenticeships & Traineeships funding?

The funding provided for Australian Apprenticeships is known as User Choice. User Choice is a national funding policy for Australian Apprenticeships promoting choice in training services provided to Employers and Australian Apprentices. The program aims to provide funding aligned to the skill needs of industry and respond to changing government priorities.

A key feature of Australian Apprenticeships is more flexibility for the users (employers and Australian Apprentices) of the training system. User Choice is a model for achieving client responsive training which means that businesses and Australian Apprentices can select their own registered training organisation (RTO) and negotiate how, where and when the training and assessment is to occur.

ACCCO is a pre-qualified supplier approved by the ACT Government to provide training for User Choice qualifications. For further information please refer to the ACT Government Skills Canberra website here.

Eligibility Criteria

ACT subsidises qualifications for both new worker trainees or existing worker trainees. To be eligible for an ACT training contract the trainee must:

• be at least 15 years of age; and
• work in the ACT and

be an:

• Australian citizen,
• Permanent resident,
• New Zealand passport holder who has been a resident in Australia for more than 6 months,
• A person who hold a visa that is identified as being eligible (Table D), and
• Receive remuneration for their work, and
• Fulfil a minimum of 15 hours combined work and training per week; and
• Undertake an approved Australian Apprenticeships qualification with an approved RTO (like the ACCCO), as specified on the ACT Qualifications Register; and
• Have the required supervision in the workplace for an Australian Apprentice.
• Not be a casual employee or self-employed (sub-contractor).

An Australian school based apprentice (ASBA) must:

• Be enrolled in a school under the relevant Education Act
• Have the ASBA qualification recognised on their school Certificate
• Combine part-time work with an employer and structured industry-approved training whilst attending school
• Continue employment and on/off-the-job training throughout the year including school holidays
• Complete a minimum of 11 hours per week towards their Australian Apprenticeship if undertaking a certificate II qualification, this includes 8 hours of work and 3 hours per week of structured training
• Complete a minimum of 15 hours per week towards their Australian Apprenticeship if undertaking a certificate III qualification, this includes 12 hours of work and 3 hours per week of structured training
• Participate in a maximum of 20 hours (combined work and training) towards their Australian Apprenticeship per week.

Information for Employers

For employers, Australian Apprentices can bring new and valuable resources and skills into a business.Traineeships allow you to develop qualified loyal staff that are familiar with your company, your work environment, your standards, your equipment and your customers. There are plenty of benefits to employers that include the following:

• Qualified employees trained your way for your business
• Government funding assistance for the training of eligible apprentices and trainees
• Financial benefits for you including Commonwealth Government incentives
• Greater customer satisfaction through
• Greater customer satisfaction through well trained staff

What can I study with ACCCO?

CHC22015 Certificate II in Community Services

CHC30113 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

CHC30213 Certificate III in Education Support

CHC40213 Certificate IV in Education Support

CHC40113 Certificate IV in School Age Education and Care

CHC50213 Diploma of School Age Education and Care

CHC50113 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

Cost to the Participant

If a person is eligible for funding under User Choice, the ACT Government will subsidise the costs of their accredited training, although a student contribution fee will be required. The following student contribution fees will apply from the 15/02/18 to 1/08/18.

Please note:

• Course fees include all resources and materials.
• Government funding is NOT available for Existing Workers wishing to complete CHC30213 Certificate III in Education Support qualification.
• Students who do not meet the eligibility criteria for User Choice Funding, fees will be calculated at the Fee-For-Service rates > Click Here <

Fee Exemptions

Australian Apprentices may be exempt from paying fees in the following circumstances:

• the employer is the RTO for its own Australian Apprentice, or
• the Australian Apprentice leaves one employer and recommences within 12 months with another employer, in the same qualification and with the same RTO, or
• the Australian Apprentice is required to go to a different RTO as a result of a change of RTO process, or
• the student is an ASBA and the school is the RTO.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL is an assessment only process for experienced workers who are seeking formal recognition of their existing skills and knowledge. Read more

Credit Transfer

Credit transfer (sometimes known as advanced standing) is awarded when a student has completed the units required for a qualification at another Registered Training Organisation. This may reduce the amount of time it will take you to gain a qualification, and reduce the overall cost. ACCCO provides credit transfer free of charge. Read more

Payment Plans

An upfront payment is required followed by your choice of fortnightly or monthly payments. We have the following payment schemes available to help you pay your student contribution fee:

No payment plans available for qualifications less than $200.00 (full upfront payment is required)

_Fortnightly

_Monthly

Please note: 

Final payment may vary depending on your chosen payment method and if you have any credit transfers. Please contact our enrolments team on 1300 139 406 to discuss payment options applicable to you.

How to Apply

Step 1. Find an Employer

Before entering into an apprenticeship, the student must find an employer willing to take them on as a trainee or apprentice. You and your employer will need to sign a formal training contract.

You can find an employer by:

• Search job websites such as seek.com and newspaper advertisements
• Talk to early childhood services in your local area
• asking your friends, family and others in your community about what might be available
• talk to an Apprenticeship Network Provider as they may be able to link you with potential employers

Step 2. Commence Employment

Once the student commences employment, you will need to fill out a trainee/sign up request form and return to apprenticeships@accco.com.au. 

Step 3. Choose an Apprenticeship Network Provider

Your Apprenticeship Network Provider will help you sign a training contract with your employer. They will work with you and your employer to identify the training and support you need. The training contract may commence on the same day that employment commences or may commence at a later date.

Step 4. Commence Training

As part of your traineeship you will undertake a nationally recognised qualification with ACCCO who will provide the training for the Australian Trainee. 

Any Questions?

Our Trainee and Apprenticeship Coordinator is more than happy to help you with any questions you may have. Contact us now and we'll get you started...