Mature Age Apprenticeships: Are They Worth It?

At some stage in their careers, most people question whether they’ve made the right career choice. Statistically speaking, almost everyone will change jobs several times throughout their entire careers.

Long gone are the days of getting a job straight out of school and staying there until you retire — this is where a mature age apprenticeship can help. Changing careers is something that needs serious consideration before taking the plunge. However, once you’ve weighed it all up and the pros are in your favour, the change is so liberating.

A mature-age apprenticeship can open the door to a brand new career path, allowing you to complete a vocational qualification (such as a Certificate II, Certificate III or a Diploma) while gaining hands-on work experience — and getting paid.

Here are some areas you can do an adult apprenticeship:

What is the age of a mature age apprentice? Can adults undertake an apprenticeship?

An adult apprentice, otherwise known as a mature age apprentice, is an apprentice who begins an apprenticeship at 21 years of age or older. You can undertake a range of different Apprenticeships and Traineeships.

How much does a mature age apprentice earn in Australia?

A first-year apprentice will earn up to around $55,773 as a yearly average salary, depending on your trade and the state you live in.

Investing in yourself

Full-time apprenticeships usually take between 3-4 years to complete, which is a combination of on the job training and classroom studies. Any new Australian apprentice, not just mature aged apprentices, need to ask themselves if they are willing to put themselves through a lengthy training process. It’s also worth considering which type of course is the best for you, depending on the level of qualification you’re after. The reward is a nationally recognised qualification that can turn into a satisfying and lucrative career.

As an adult apprentice, you can negotiate an individual training program with your employer that could cut the length of time it takes to be qualified. Depending on the industry and the training requirements, employers and adult apprentices can discuss with a training provider (TAFE or a Registered Training Organisation) how the relevant training can be delivered in a shorter time while still meeting educational goals and the needs of the industry.

Moreover, suppose you already have skills from life and work experience that are transferrable. In that case, you may be entitled to Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) credit, resulting in a shorter training period to become a qualified tradesperson.

Learn more about Apprenticeships and Traineeships.

What it’s like as an adult apprentice

As an adult apprentice, there is a good chance you will be taking your instructions from someone younger than you. For some, this may be hard to take, while it could also prove uncomfortable for the younger person giving orders to an older employee. Depending on the trade, you may be asked to complete tasks beneath your level of experience or past seniority.

Menial tasks are part and parcel of an apprenticeship, particular in the early years, and being asked to complete tasks by someone younger can be a dent to the pride for some. However, adult apprentices tend to be more mature, so in most instances, this isn’t a problem given the reasons for starting the apprenticeship in the first place.

You can be an asset to the business

Because you have life experiences, a certain level of maturity and professional skills from past employment, a prospective employer may see you as an asset to the company. You could be given tasks and responsibilities younger apprentices wouldn’t be trusted with, accelerating your learning rate.

Mature age apprentices tend to be more stable in their private lives and have been through the challenges that 16-20-year-olds face. While a younger apprentice may take some time to become accustomed to a work environment, an adult apprentice can hit the ground running and be productive immediately.