An apprenticeship or traineeship is an employment based training arrangement where an apprentice or trainee has the opportunity to combine practical experience in the workplace with structured training with a Registered Training Organisation (RTO).
Employers and apprentices/trainees enter into a legal Training Contract to undertake specified training. This means that they earn as they learn. In the past, apprenticeships ensured that a person qualified in a trade. However, it is not just trades that are included. Many traditional apprenticeships are now offered as traineeships. The difference between a traineeship and an apprenticeship is that the traineeship can be either a full-time or part-time employment based training arrangement, usually for a nominal duration of 12 months or more, generally in a non-trade area. For example in retail, hospitality or business. Traineeships can also be school or work-based