Apprentices and trainees

What is the role of your teacher?

Your teachers at Wodonga TAFE have a responsibility to create a learning environment that helps you to acquire the skills, knowledge, and attitudes that you need for your work. Your teachers will:

  • give you feedback about your progress
  • give you clear information about the assessment requirements in each unit of competency
  • make reasonable adjustments to their teaching and assessment strategies to accommodate any special needs (as identified by Learner Services) that you may have
  • be flexible in their approach to the development of learning and assessment strategies that are customised to you and your workplace
  • be approachable and make time to discuss with you any concerns that you have in relation to your learning or assessment, or any other concerns that may affect the progress of your learning
  • ask you for feedback about your learning and assessment experiences, to help with quality improvement
  • be aware of current trends and practices in industry
  • provide information to you as required in relation to Wodonga Institute’s policies and procedures.

What is the role of the department manager?

The department manager has the overall responsibility to organise the department’s activities. This responsibility includes an awareness and implementation of state and national policies and directions while meeting local industry training needs.

If you have concerns about your training that cannot be addressed directly with your teacher, you can discuss them with your department manager. Please make an appointment at the department’s reception desk if you want to take up this option.

What is the role of the Australian Apprenticeship Centre (AAC)?

Australian Apprenticeship Centres provide information, administrative services, and support to employers and Australian apprentices. They help with the signing of training contracts and also assess, approve, and process the payment of Australian government employer incentives, scholarships, and income support payments to eligible Australian apprentices specifically to assist them in the early years of their Australian apprenticeships, when apprentices’ wages are generally at their lowest.

Australian Apprenticeship Centres now also provide job-matching services and work with state and territory training authorities, Job Network members, registered training organisations, schools, and community organisations to promote Australian apprenticeships and provide information about Australian apprenticeships to employers and prospective apprentices and trainees.

What is the role of the apprenticeship field officer?

Apprenticeship field officers support the apprenticeship and traineeship system. They do this by monitoring on-the-job training through field service visits and audits.

Apprenticeship field officers provide authoritative advice about apprenticeship and traineeship matters to employers, apprentices/trainees, Australian Apprenticeship Centres, and registered training organisations.

Apprenticeship field officers respond to complaints and provide timely and effective mediation and dispute resolution services to employers and apprentices/trainees. They investigate allegations of workplace violence, bullying, or harassment and provide appropriate support and advice to apprentices/trainees who are subjected to workplace violence or harassment.

What is the role of the employer?

The employer will meet legal obligations. This involves conforming with the relevant Australian government and state/territory legislation including legislation that relates to Australian apprenticeship arrangements.

The employer will provide a safe working environment. This involves providing a safe workplace, free from bullying and verbal, physical, racial, and sexual abuse. The employer ensures that all occupational health and safety requirements are addressed and will also provide an appropriate introduction to the workplace, stressing those core occupational health and safety requirements that are essential to workplace safety.

The employer will provide and support structured training. This involves providing opportunities to develop knowledge and skills. This will also involve the lodging of documentation in relation to training contracts with the relevant authorities, selecting a registered training organisation, and enrolling the Australian apprentice within the timeframe determined by the training authority in your state/territory.

The employer will participate in the development of the training plan and will provide facilities and expertise to assist in the training of the Australian apprentice in the agreed qualification. This may include on-the-job-training, supervision from competent people, mentoring, or time to undertake off-the-job-training.

The employer will ensure that a record of training is maintained and that the relevant authorities are notified on the completion of a training contract, or advise them if the training contract is in danger of not being completed.

The employer will provide supervision and support by providing the Australian apprentice with a nominated workplace supervisor. Employers will also be mindful that Australian apprentices under the age of 18 are minors, and that their parents or legal guardians have legal responsibility for them. The employer will also advise Australian apprentices of their rights and responsibilities.

What is the role of the workplace supervisor?

The workplace supervisor will be nominated by the employer to monitor and provide on-the-job-training. A workplace supervisor may also conduct assessments relating to your apprenticeship/traineeship on behalf of the registered training organisation. Workplace supervisors may also provide coaching and mentoring to Australian apprentices who have little or no experience of work.

Contacting Wodonga Institute’s staff members

Wodonga TAFE's staff are available to discuss any issues or concerns you may have. If you need to see your trainer/assessor outside scheduled workplace visits or classes, it is best to make an appointment. Check with your individual trainers as to their availability and suitable times for a discussion or meeting. 

Emergency contact while you are at Wodonga TAFE

It is possible that you may need to be contacted urgently while you are on campus. In an emergency situation, you can be contacted by members of your family or by schools/childcare agencies while you are at Wodonga TAFE through the teaching department office. It is a good idea to advise staff in the teaching department office of the name of your course and/or the name of your course coordinator, so that you can be located more easily. We will make every effort to contact you if you are in class or on the premises.

Please note that this service is available for emergencies only.