Hiring an Apprentice| Apprentice Success

Why hire an apprentice?

Taking on an apprentice is an investment in your team’s future, bringing in a new and motivated workers to your business. Plus, you may be eligible for subsidies and incentives.

Beyond these advantages, apprenticeships offer a wide range of benefits.

i) Key benefits of hiring an apprentice

Benefit	Overview
Build a skilled workforce	Develop employees who grow with your business and contribute to your specific trade.
Drive productivity and innovation	Fresh ideas and new skills help streamline operations and boost efficiency.
Cost-effective workforces strategy	Apprenticeships are a practical way to train staff while managing wage and training costs.
Promote retention and loyalty	Apprentices who grow in your business are more likely to stay long-term.
Upskill your existing team	Apprenticeships help reskill or advance current employees into higher roles.
Access financial incentives	Eligible employers can receive government funding and support throughout the apprenticeship.

ii) How apprenticeships support industry growth

Opportunity	Overview
Future-proofing your Workforce	Apprenticeships develop and support skilled workers; tailored for your business needs.
Boosting productivity over time	Apprentice productivity grows over the training duration, easing workloads for senior staff and supporting operations.
Strategic workforce planning	Apprenticeships support long-term business growth, with many apprentices progressing into leadership or specialist roles.
Supporting national skills needs	Hiring apprentices helps address Australia’s growing skills shortage in trades and clean energy, strengthening the national workforce.

How to hire an apprentice

Hiring an apprentice is easier than you think – and we are here to support you every step of the way. Our field officers and consultants will guide you through the process, help you recruit the right candidate, assist with drafting contracts, check your funding eligibility, and point your team in the right direction.

To make the process simple and straightforward, we’ve outlined the apprenticeship lifecycle - a step-by-step guide that takes you from identifying your business needs through to completion and long-term retention.

Apprenticeship lifecycle

Step	Step	Step	Step
1. Scope the role Define skills, duties, hours, and award.	2. Choose employment pathway Hire directly or through a Group Training Organisation (GTO).	3. Promote the vacancy Advertise via the TAFE network and job boards.	4. Match from our applicant pool Pre-screen and shortlist suitable candidates.
5. Interview and select Conduct interviews and reference/VEVO checks.	6. Sign training contract Lodge with the State Training Authority.	7. Choose RTO and training plan Select RTO and schedule on/off-job training.	8. Onboard and first 90 days Induction, safety, and setting clear expectations.
9. Ongoing support Regular visits, progress checks, and issue resolution.	10. Funding and claims Guidance with eligibility, lodgements, and payments.	11. Completion and next steps Qualify, retain, or advance your business.

With Apprentice Success, you’ll receive end-to-end support — from finding the right person to maximising incentives and ensuring a smooth experience for everyone involved.