Fee Free Traineeships is the newest NSW Government initiative, aimed at helping 70,000 trainees complete their courses free from any and all fees. The course cost, which was up to $1000 before the initiative, will now be covered for trainees who are eligible. So, what does this mean for employers?

In short, this is ripper news for any employer who used to carry the cost of their trainees course fees, or for those who wanted to put on a trainee, but were unsure of managing the costs. Fee Free covers trainees who commence under Smart and Skilled between the 1st of January 2020 and the 31st December 2023, so you have time to figure out if a trainee suits your workplace before rushing to take one on.

Traineeships are a great option for those who want on-the-job training, with a mixture of hands on learning and classroom study. These courses teach necessary skills, and give trainees the experience they need to be successful. A traineeship can last anywhere from 1 to 2 years, and the trainee earns a salary while they complete the course.

This opportunity will make a world of difference to the employers who used to tank the cost of trainees, as you won’t have to pay a cent in student fees under this initiative for oncoming trainees. Not only is it free, it also allows your business to take on and train skilled and experienced staff members, allowing you to confidently tackle any work that comes your way.

There are many courses covered by this new initiative, including some of our own certificates. At CWBTS, we offer traineeship-friendly courses for our NSW students in a wide variety of subjects. Our Certificate III in Concreting is one of these courses covered by this initiative, meaning students can participate completely fee free, thanks to government funding.

When it comes to the fine print, it’s worth noting that each student can only commence a maximum of three fee free traineeships, and that the initiative is only available to trainees whose training is already funded under the NSW Government’s Smart and Skilled program. Trainees also need to have commenced their course on or after the 1st of January 2020 to receive the benefits. Apprenticeship qualifications are also fee free under a different initiative.

For more information, go to the Fee Free website, or follow this link to search for courses covered by this initiative.