1) The document provides information about what to expect from the apprenticeship and traineeship processes at NECA Education and Careers. It discusses expectations during the initial weeks on the job, balancing work and study, receiving support from consultants, and gaining qualifications upon completion. 2) Advice is given for job interviews, including dressing professionally, preparing your resume, and using the STAR technique to answer behavioral questions. 3) Expectations for recruitment, inductions, routine, support systems and gaining skills through completion are outlined from the perspectives of employees and coordinators at NECA Education and Careers.

1. What to Expect from
Apprenticeship Process
& During Traineeship
Process

2. What to expect from the
apprenticeship process
What to expect during an apprenticeship
program - a word from Nickolas
Delithodoris, NECA Education and Careers
employee
1) What can an apprentice expect in their first 4
weeks on the job?
An induction to the work environment and an
overview of company operations.

3. 2) Given the likely rotation amongst different
hosts, how do you settle into a routine?
Over 2 years, I’ve worked with 6 different hosts. At
times work can run out with one host and soon
enough you’ll be placed with a different host. As
you build trust with a new host through your work
ability, you will begin to feel comfortable and the
host begins to trust you allowing you to work
more independently. All bosses have a different
level of trust and it’s important to impress them
because the expectations involved can be
different from host to host.

4. 3) How have you found the combination of
work and study?
Each host is open about the level of work required
and the duration of the role so there are no
hidden secrets. Your study does not affect your
work environment as you attend one day per
week and it’s any easy task to keep balanced as
long as you keep on top with your schooling.

5. 4) What can you expect by joining NECA
Education and Careers?
The level of work exposure is unbelievable. There
is a misconception that Group Training
apprentices are used as labour hire though the
truth is the work is varied and challenging and
hosts are willing to teach you. I’ve been given
advanced tasks such as fitting off switch boards
during my second year.

6. 5) What level of support can an apprentice
receive from an Industry Careers
Consultant?
An Industry Careers Consultant provide support
from every angle. They are always willing to help
with issues on or off the job. They visit
frequently and go above and beyond their level
of duty.

7. What to expect from the
recruitment process - a word from
Stacey Fedden, NECA Education and
Careers Recruitment Coordinator
1) How should I prepare for a job interview?
Look professional even if your applying for an
apprenticeship. Dress for the job that you want,
not the one that you have. If you feel professional
those interviewing you will see you as professional
and that is the first step. Go through your CV.
Make sure it is as up to date as possible and make
sure you know what you have written.

8. If you are questioned about your CV and you don’t
know the answer it can make you look like you
didn’t do the work that you have stated. Think
about your skills and how they can be transferred
into another role. It’s a good way to sell yourself.
2) How do I answer a Behavioral Based
interview question?
With honesty. BBI questions are not there to catch
you out. They are a clever way to understand the
way a person behaves instinctively in a particular
instance.

9. A good technique is the STAR technique.
S=situation (where were you, what year it was),
T=Task (what task were you given to complete),
A= Action(what action did you specifically take
to achieve the task), R=Result (what was the
outcome). By following these simple steps you
can really shine in an interview.

10. 3) Do I have to do a Pre-Apprenticeship?
A Pre-App is the best first step towards a
successful Apprenticeship. It is an introduction to
the specialty field and you may find that after
doing a pre-app the particular trade is not
suitable to you. It can save you literally years of
indecision. Do the pre-app, love it, get an
apprenticeship in the trade. Don’t take the pre-
app lightly, either. Entry into an Apprenticeship
could rely on the results and commitment you
give to the Pre-app. Remember that and you
can’t go wrong.

11. 4) How old do I have to be to start an
Apprenticeship?
The minimum age for acceptance into an
apprenticeship is 15, but just remember that
working in a trade can take you from host to host
so you need the ability to travel. At NECA
Education and Careers due to the travel and safety
requirements of the electrical field, you need to
be 18 years old.

12. 5) What is involved in an induction?
You will fill out employment forms to ensure that
you are paid all of your entitlements, including
super. You will learn the values of the company,
how to be the best employee you can be. You
will learn the values important to working safely
on the job. Various people from the industry will
visit to share with you information about the
industry.

13. You will be issued personal protective clothing and
equipment. NECA Education and Careers will sell a
comprehensive set of tools to successful
applicants and instruction will be delivered on
how to use them. Tools are repaid by apprentices
over a period of time. It is an enjoyable and
informative, learning experience.

14. What to expect from the
apprenticeship program - a word
from the NECA Education and
Careers Industry Careers Consultant
1) What advice could you give an apprentice
entering the workplace?
Be yourself and respect those you work with and
your company’s customers. An apprenticeship is
about your development, so ensure you listen, ask
questions and be positive in the workplace.

15. Be the best that you can be and above all enjoy
what you do!
2) How often does an Industry Careers
Consultant visit?
We visit the workplace every 3 months. The aim of
the visit is to have a chat and discuss your
development both on the job and off the job in
conjunction with your supervisor/manager. It is
important that as a developing professional you
are open, honest and contribute to the
conversation.

16. 3) What do your clients/host employers look for
in an apprentice?
They want a helper, someone with a can-do
attitude. Don’t worry if you have limited skills,
your apprenticeship training will provide you the
support you need.
4) If an apprentice has an issue in the
workplace, what can they do about it?
It is always advisable that you speak with your
supervisor/manager about the issue and aim to
resolve it sooner rather than later. Letting it sit
without any action can perhaps make it worse.

17. If you are not comfortable in talking to a
representative in your workplace, contact your
Industry Careers Consultant at NECA Education
and Careers who will meet with you in person,
and talk through your issue and aim to resolve
it asap in the strictest of confidence. Even just
talking about an issue can improve your
situation.

18. 5) What will an individual gain from
completing an apprenticeship?
Upon completion, you will have your A-Grade
licence qualification provided you keep up with
your schooling, profiling and pass all external
exams. You will also have valuable hands-on
knowledge having worked in your field for 4
years.

19. What to expect during the
traineeship process
What to expect during a traineeship
- a word from Pierre Chedraoui, NECA
Education and Careers employee
1) What can a trainee expect in their first 4
weeks on the job?
You will be inducted, taken around your
workplace and introduced to your co-workers. You
will most probably be assigned to a staff member
or mentor, where you will follow and assist them
in their tasks.

20. Do not think you will be expected to know your
job back to front in the first one, two or four
months. Remember the emotions you feel such
as nervousness and shyness are normal and no
matter what age you are, they will always be
there when you commence something new.

21. 2) How long did it take to find your perfect job?
It can take a while to figure it out but it might be
one where you can mix your personal interests
and work requirements together. Most
importantly you have to thoroughly understand
the basic requirements of your job before you can
progress. Once you understand the exact
expectations of your employer, you begin to think
about how you could mix your hobbies/passion in
and create a benefit for the business. This might
take you anywhere from six to twelve months to
master.

22. 3) How have you found the combination of
workplace learning and study?
Having completed a Certificate III, Certificate IV,
CCNA and Diploma, you come across many tasks
at your workplace where you are required to do
things that have been covered in study. Examples
which are specific to my role are management and
leading of projects, configuring networks and
devices, installation of complex applications, etc.
Without my studies, I would not have known how
to correctly complete these tasks and most
probably would not have been given the
opportunity to complete them.

23. 4) Did you always want to enter the workplace
upon completing school?
I was unsure of what I wanted to do, but knew
what I didn’t want to study study study! Obtaining
a qualification (as they qualify and educate you)
was one thing, but to get into a career path with a
combination of study and practice was another
thing and the traineeship fulfilled all these
requirements.

24. 5) Did you have other career paths you were
considering?
Being unsure of exactly what you want to do is a
common feeling for all, but narrowing down the
field can certainly help e.g. Information
Technology. The great thing about the course I
chose (IT Traineeship), was it would benefit me no
matter what career path I took as all the subjects
studied and the work I completed are common
within many businesses today. Doing the
Traineeship also allowed me to discover what I
wanted to ultimately aim for in my career, and
that is direction and leading whether it be in I.T. or
not.

25. 6) Finally, what advise could you give to
individuals wanting to pursue a traineeship?
Go for it! If you’re like me and are a ‘hands on’
person where learning through practice as
opposed to theory, it’s perfect. You will definitely
have a clearer understanding of your likes and
dislikes in the workplace and what you would like
to pursue in your future. Remember as you obtain
qualifications and experience, no time is wasted in
working towards your career goal!

26. What to expect from the recruitment
process
- a word from Stacey Fedden, NECA
Education and Careers Recruitment
Coordinator
1) How should I prepare for a job interview?
Look professional. This goes even if you are
applying to be a Sparky. Dress for the job that you
want, not the one that you have. If you feel
professional those interviewing you will see you as
professional and that is the first step.

27. Go through your CV. Make sure it is as up to date
as possible and make sure you know what you
have written. If you are questioned about your CV
and you don’t know the answer it can make you
look like you didn’t do the work that you have
stated. Think about your skills and how they can
be transferred into another role. It’s a good way
to sell yourself.

28. 2) How do I answer a Behavioral Based
interview question?
With honesty. BBI questions are not there to
catch you out. They are a clever way to
understand the way a person behaves instinctively
in a particular instance. A good technique is the
STAR technique. S=situation (where were you,
what year it was), T=Task (what task were you
given to complete), A= Action(what action did you
specifically take to achieve the task), R=Result
(what was the outcome). By following these
simple steps you can really shine in an interview.

29. 3) What happens if I am unsuccessful for a role?
You will be sent an unsuccessful notification via
email if you don’t get into an interview and be
notified by phone if you do make it to an
interview. This does not mean that you are
unsuccessful in general, just for that role.
4) I didn’t finish Yr 12. Can I still do a
Traineeship?
If you didn’t finish Yr 12 then a traineeship is
probably perfect for you.

30. The traineeship helps you to develop skills that
you may not have learned in the last year of
school. It gives you hands on experience and a
qualification all at the same time.
5) What is involved in an induction?
You will fill out employment forms to ensure that
your pay, annual leave and other entitlements are
correctly processed. You will be introduced to the
people you will be involved with while doing your
traineeship through NECA Education and Careers.

31. The induction will also cover OH&S aspects of
working in your particular job environment.
What to expect from the traineeship program
- a word from NECA Education and Careers
Industry Careers Consultant
1) What advice could you give a trainee
entering the workplace?
Be yourself and respect those you work with, and
your company’s customers.

32. A traineeship is about your development, so
ensure you listen, ask questions and be positive in
the workplace.
2) How often does an Industry Careers
Consultants visit?
We visit the workplace every 3 months. The aim of
the visit is to have a chat and discuss your
development both on and off the job with your
supervisor/manager. It is important that as a
developing professional you are open, honest and
contribute to the conversation.

33. 3) What do your clients/host employers look for
in a trainee?
Companies are recruiting trainees for their long
term business needs. They see that offering
traineeships is a great way to bring in fresh and
exciting talent. However, they are selective. They
look for a positive attitude at work and towards
life, a willingness to learn, career ambition and
being able to work in and contribute to a team.

34. 4) If a trainee has an issue in the workplace,
what can they do about it?
We will encourage you to speak with your
supervisor/manager about the issue and aim to
resolve it sooner rather than later. Doing nothing
about the issue can potentially make it worse. If
you are not comfortable with talking to a
representative in your workplace, contact your
Industry Careers Consultant at NECA Education
and Careers. They will meet with you in person,
and talk through your issue and aim to resolve it
ASAP, in the strictest of confidence. Even just
talking about an issue can improve your situation.

35. 5) What will an individual gain from completing
a traineeship?
When you complete your traineeship, you will
have (on average) 12 months of full-time
workplace experience, PLUS a nationally
recognised qualification at Certificate III or IV
level. In a sense, excellent workplace skills and a
qualification to back it up. This will enable you to
take on extra responsibilities in the company, or if
you are seeking a career move, you will have the
experience to apply for that next role you are
ready for!

36. Many employers seek workplace skills and
qualifications, and you will have both. On top of
your qualification; you will have workplace
experience which teaches you so much more, i.e.
organization, team work, meeting deadlines,
working under pressure. Upon completion, you
are a star professional!

37. http://necaeducation.com.au/