Scheduling
North Metropolitan TAFE (NMT) has dedicated scheduling teams at each campus responsible for placing new apprentices into the correct training groups and advising employers of training dates.
Apprentices cannot be scheduled until NMT has received the Commencement Advice.
Trainees are enrolled differently, but enrolment into units can only occur once the training contract has been received and processed.
Once scheduling is complete, employers will receive a Call-Up notice 6–8 weeks before training begins.
Training Delivery Options
Apprentice training may be delivered through the following formats:
Day Release
- Apprentices attend one day per week for a full semester.
- Day Release must begin at the start of a semester (February or July).
- Contracts signed mid-semester may need to wait until the next semester.
Block Release
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Apprentices attend in block sessions, generally in one- to two-week releases, occurring once or twice per semester. However, delivery patterns vary by qualification, and some areas may require shorter, more intensive blocks.
Availability of each option depends on lecturer resources and how the course is delivered.
Traineeship Delivery Methods
Most traineeships use one of the following delivery modes:
On-the-Job / Work-Based
- Training occurs in the workplace.
- An NMT assessor conducts workplace assessments.
- Learning materials are provided online.
Online
- All training and assessment are completed online.
- Some courses require live online (Collaborate) sessions.
Combined Delivery
- A mix of work-based, online, or campus attendance where required.
It is important to note that students undertaking work-based training require allocated time in the workplace to complete their work.
See Our qualifications and study modes for more information.
Apprentice Fees for Training
Employers are not required to pay apprentice fees upfront. However, many Modern Awards require employers to reimburse apprentices for fees after satisfactory progress.
Employers may choose to:
- Pay fees upfront; or
- Reimburse apprentices (where required by their Award).
Employers under Awards without specific fee requirements can still pay fees by submitting an Invoice Authorisation Form.
Apprentices and employers must have a valid fee payment arrangement in place before training begins.
Absences
North Metropolitan TAFE must notify employers when an apprentice does not attend scheduled training. You will receive a notification for:
- A full-day absence from class
- Late arrival or early departure
- Completion of all required off-the-job training, when the apprentice is released back to the workplace
Notifications are sent electronically on the next business day. Even if you have already advised us of an absence, a notification will still be issued for your records.
If lecturers have concerns about an apprentice’s aptitude or behaviour, we will contact you as soon as possible.
Return to Work
Your apprentice may be returned to work if they do not attend training with the appropriate PPE, tools, or equipment.
Similarly, if students fail to make payment of their fees or establish a payment arrangement, they will be unable to continue training.
From time to time, students may complete their training early and may be returned to work until the next unit of study commences within the block or the next block attendance is required.
Workers' Compensation and Fitness for Work
In accordance with the Workers’ Compensation and Injury Management Act 1981, apprentices are classed as workers for the purposes of Workers' Compensation, including paid workdays spent undertaking off-the-job training.
For more information, please refer to Workers - WorkCover WA.(opens in a new tab)
Students attending off-the-job training must remain free from injuries that could hinder their ability to complete standard industry tasks.
Where an apprentice is off work due to injury, or where their fitness for training is unclear, they must not attend off-the-job training without prior assessment and approval from the Academic Delivery area.
In accordance with NMT’s Duty of Care obligations, NMT reserves the right to request medical clearance or other relevant medical information to assess an apprentice’s fitness to participate in training activities.
Approval to attend training will be determined based on this assessment to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the apprentice, staff, and others.
Students should see Safety, health and security for information about safety and security on campus.
Travel to Training
The Department of Training and Workforce Development (DTWD) assists apprentices and trainees with travel and accommodation costs related to completing their off-the-job training through a Travel and Accommodation Allowance (TAA).
The minimum round-trip distance an apprentice or trainee must travel from their residential address to the closest training venue able to deliver the off-the-job training is:
- 71 kilometres or more for travel allowance
- 150 kilometres or more for accommodation allowance
- 1,100 kilometres or more for airfare travel (air travel must be booked by the RTO to be eligible)
See Travel for apprentices and trainees for more information, relevant forms, and links.