How Do I Hire an Apprentice in Queensland? | Blue Dog Training
To hire an apprentice in Queensland, you take on a candidate as an employee under a formal training contract, sign them up with an Australian Apprenticeships Centre, and engage a registered training organisation to deliver the training. Blue Dog Training makes the process straightforward and can connect you with work-ready candidates through our Pathways to Apprenticeships program.
Finding a good apprentice and setting them up for success is one of the best investments a trade business can make. The right apprentice grows into a qualified tradesperson who knows your business, your standards, and your clients. Here is how to get the process right.
Step 1: Find your apprentice
Blue Dog Training's Pathways to Apprenticeships program at bluedogtraining.com.au/en-au/find-an-apprentice is designed to connect employers with motivated, work-ready candidates. Many of these candidates have already completed pre-apprenticeship or VETiS training through Blue Dog Training, so they come with some foundational skills and an understanding of how the industry works.
You can also advertise through job boards, contact your local Australian Apprenticeships Centre, or take on a school-based apprentice.
Step 2: Sign a training contract
Once you have found the right candidate, you formalise the arrangement by signing a Training Contract through an Apprentice Connect Australia Provider (ACAP). This is a legal agreement between you, the apprentice, and the state authority. It sets out the qualification being trained towards, the employment conditions, and the expected duration.
Your local ACAP will walk you through this process. There is no cost to register a training contract.
Step 3: Engage Blue Dog Training as the RTO
You then engage Blue Dog Training as the Registered Training Organisation to deliver the training. Blue Dog Training delivers carpentry and engineering apprenticeships entirely on site in Queensland. There is no block training, no classroom days, and no disruption to your worksite schedule. Our trainer comes to you.
Your apprentice will have the same trainer for the duration of the apprenticeship, building a genuine mentoring relationship that supports both the apprentice and your business.
Are there government incentives for hiring an apprentice?
Yes. Queensland and federal government incentive programs are available for eligible employers who hire and retain apprentices. Incentives vary depending on the trade, the apprentice's background, and whether the apprentice is from a priority group such as a school leaver or mature-aged candidate.
Contact your Apprentice Connect Australia Provider for the most current information on available incentives and how to claim them.
What support does Blue Dog Training provide to employers?
Beyond delivering the training, Blue Dog Training provides genuine support to employers throughout the apprenticeship. Our trainers visit the worksite regularly, provide progress updates, and work with both the employer and apprentice to ensure the training is aligned with the real work happening on site.
We have been doing this since 2004. Many of our original employers are still with us. That is not a coincidence.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: How many apprentices can I take on at once?
A: There is no fixed limit on the number of apprentices you can employ, but practically you want to ensure each apprentice gets adequate supervision and mentoring. Talk to the Blue Dog Training team about what works for your business size and structure.
Q: What if an apprentice is not working out?
A: Training contracts can be cancelled by mutual agreement or by application to the relevant authority in certain circumstances. The ACAP can advise on the process. Contact us as well; we can often help work through challenges before they become a formal issue.
Q: Do apprentices need a White Card before starting work on site?
A: Yes. A White Card is legally required before any worker, including an apprentice, can be on a construction site. If your incoming apprentice does not have one, Blue Dog Training can sort it quickly at bluedogtraining.com.au/en-au/white-card-queensland.
Q: Can I hire a school-based apprentice?
A: Yes. School-based apprenticeships allow students to start their trade training while still in secondary school. This is a great way to identify talented young tradies early. Visit bluedogtraining.com.au/en-au/for-schools for more information.
Find work-ready apprentice candidates through Blue Dog Training. bluedogtraining.com.au/en-au/find-an-apprentice
