Here are just a few good reasons to explore a pre-apprenticeship with us.
Try out a trade before you commit
If you’re thinking of starting a trade but you’re not 100% sure it’s right for you, a pre-apprenticeship is a great way to try it out and discover what you like.
With a few months of hands-on training, you’ll get a real feel for what the job involves, so you can decide if you want to continue with it before jumping straight into a three- or four-year apprenticeship.
Start now – no need for a job offer yet
To do an apprenticeship course, you’ll need to find an employer who’s happy to take you on as an apprentice first. For a pre-apprenticeship, you can get started right away.
VU Polytechnic also offers full time pre-apprenticeships for students aged 16 and older who want to leave school early and start on a trades career.
Learn the tools of the trade
You’ll learn essential basic skills and grow confident in safely using and maintaining tools and equipment.
Even if you’ve never picked up a power drill before, you’ll soon be comfortable with basic tasks and processes in your chosen trade – and come away with lifelong DIY skills.
Practise your skills in state-of-the-art facilities
When you study at VU Polytechnic, you’ll be learning in industry-standard workshop spaces at our Sunshine or Werribee campuses, where you can practice your skills in a real-world setting.
Our Sunshine campus features a multi-million dollar trade training centre, with labs for concreting, surveying, engineering, soldering and power systems, along with high-tech workshops including modelling software.
Get job-ready
Along with practical skills, pre-apprenticeship courses are designed to give you valuable knowledge about working in the industry and how to succeed in a professional environment.
You’ll learn about workplace safety, gain an understanding of industry policies and procedures, pick up the industry terminology, and develop skills in teamwork, prioritising tasks, communication and more.
Earn a qualification quickly
A pre-apprenticeship course at VU Polytechnic gives you a Certificate II level qualification, which you can earn in just three to six months, depending on the course.
If you decide to continue on to an apprenticeship, your Certificate II can give you credit towards that – so you won’t be doubling up on time.
Boost your chances of getting a great apprenticeship
Your Certificate II qualification shows you’ve got the necessary skills and preparation for an apprenticeship – and that makes you attractive to employers choosing who to hire.
Studying at VU Polytechnic also gives you the benefit of learning from industry-connected teachers, and opportunities to develop networks through site visits, industry projects and industry-endorsed workshops and simulations.
