Apprentice support at Holmesglen

For more information on applying for and receiving your Trade Papers, refer to the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority website.

If your training contract has expired (or is due to expire), it is important to discuss your training progress with your Education Manager. This will help determine if an extension to your Training Contract is required.

If an extension is required, the approach will be determined based on the length of the requested extension. Note: that extensions are cumulative, e.g., If a 6-month extension has been applied in the past and another 6-month extension is requested, 12-month documentation is required.

All extensions are managed by the Apprentice Central team in consultation with the Education Manager and the Victorian Registration & Qualifications Authority (VRQA)

Less than 6 months: If the extension request is under 6 months from the nominal completion date, a VRQA Variation Form needs to be completed.

6 Months – 11 months If the extension request is for 6 – 11 Months, a revised training plan is required as well as the variation form.

12 months or more: Further documentation required in addition to the variation form and revised training plan including:

• Student progression report
• Attendance tracking report
• Detailed reason for extension from Education Manager, Teacher or Apprentice commencement and support officer
• Electrotechnology and ESI Students require the e-Profiling report provided by the Education Manager.

Apprentices and trainees are responsible for their trade school fees. However, at Holmesglen, we offer the option of a Third Party Authorisation (TPA), which means if your employer agrees to this, they will be invoiced for your trade school fees directly.

If your employer does not agree to a TPA, you are responsible for paying your own fees and your employer must reimburse you for fees you have paid when you provide evidence of payment of trade school fees.

Please note that if you have paid your own trade school fees and your employer has refused to reimburse you, you can contact Fairwork to get support to seek reimbursement of fees paid.

If you are responsible for paying your own trades school fees, you can pay them upfront in one lump sum or elect to enter into a payment plan. 

There are three different options for payment of trade school fees:

1. Upfront payment in full of the fees for the academic year
2. Enter into a payment plan to spread the full year’s fees over the academic year
3. Employer signs a Third Party Authorisation (TPA) whereby they pay your trade fees on your behalf

Under options 1 and 2, your employer is obligated to reimburse you for fees paid upon evidence being provided that fees have been paid, e.g., receipt.

For new students, an email is sent from Apprentice Central prior to the induction date. This email contains your timetable as well as Statement of Fees and a copy of the Training Plan.

For ongoing students, timetables are sent prior to the end of the year, where possible. Alternatively, apprentices will be provided with a start date for the following year and a timetable will be provided on their first day back at trade school.

If you have missed some classes, we advise you to contact Apprentice Central on 03 9564 1888 or email AppCentral@holmesglen.edu.au with your details, blocks or days you have missed, so we can pass this information on to the relevant department for them to discuss with you further.

If you are running late, contact the teacher for the day to let them know. If you are not sure of the teacher’s email or phone number, call or email the department or contact Apprentice Central on 9564 1888 or appcentral@holmesglen.edu.au

Apprentice Central has a range of support options to help with your training and connect you with Holmesglen’s other academic support services, such as the Learning Skills Centre, which provides literacy, numeracy, and other study support.

When you have completed all of your units of competence, you can be considered for sign off as 'complete' by your employer. In some instances, your employer may not sign you off as complete until the nominal completion date of your training contract.

Upon completion of all required units of competence, Apprentice Central will email Completion Paperwork to yourself and your employer for signing.

Once signed and finalised, you will be contacted by the Awards Department at Holmesglen and you will receive an email from My eQuals with your Holmesglen certificate and Statement of Attainment.

If you are undertaking a licenced trade, minimum completion duration is 3.5 years or equivalent of your Epsilon Training Contract.

A suspended contract pauses the apprenticeship and training contract for a duration of 6 or 12 months, depending on the circumstances. The apprentice and employer must agree to suspend the contract and an application for approval form is required.

For further information and assistance, contact your Apprentice Connect Australia provider (ACAP). Examples include extended sick leave/injury, not employed.

If you are no longer employed, you must contact Apprentice Central immediately. You may still attend trade school for 3 months from the last date of employment with your previous employer. If you do not have an alternative employer after 3 months, your training will need to be suspended, and you can no longer attend trade school.

If you have secured a new employer, you must contact your Apprentice Connect Australia provider (ACAP) within 14 days of changing employers, you will need to officially transfer your Training Contract to your new employer.

You will also need to inform Apprentice Central of your new employer’s details and start date.

A School-Based Apprenticeship or Traineeship allows you to blend your senior secondary studies like VCE, with paid part-time work and on-the-job training. You will still follow the same timetable as the non-school based apprentice.

Your school can provide additional information on the SBAT pathway or alternatively, you can speak with your Apprentice Connect Australia provider (ACAP) for further information.

Incentives for apprentices and employers are funded by the Australian Government and administered through the Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System (AAIS). You will need to speak with your Apprentice Connect Australia provider (ACAP) for more information.

Apprentices training at Holmesglen may have their attendance at trade school recognised to clear outstanding fines through the Work and Development Permit (WDP) scheme. This program allows individuals experiencing financial hardship or other challenges to “work off” fine debt non-financially.

PLEASE NOTE: Eligibility requirements apply. Please speak with our Apprentice Central team for more information.

Yes, pre-apprenticeships are not mandatory for trades in order for you to commence an apprenticeship.

However, for licensed trades including electrical and plumbing, completing a pre-apprenticeship is often the best pathway into an apprenticeship opportunity.

There are advantages in completing a pre-apprenticeship as they give you foundational knowledge and skills into the occupation and can also be more attractive to potential employers when you are job hunting for your apprenticeship opportunity. 

The Holmesglen Career Portal is available for students' seeking employment. Job ads are posted by employers seeking employees in their industry.

The Holmesglen Skills and Jobs Centre is also available for career counselling, resume reviews and interview preparation. Please note: The Skills and Jobs Centre does not assist with job matching.