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The Continuing Apprentices Placement Service (CAPS)

What it is
State Training Services has set up a service that helps

  1. apprentices
  2. trainees in a skills shortage occupation

who have lost their jobs because of the economic downturn to find an employer and complete their apprenticeship or traineeship.

How to register
Complete the Apprentices/Trainees Registration online and lodge it by clicking on the send button. Alternatively you can print and fax it to (02) 9266 8590 or email the completed form to caps@det.nsw.edu.au. You will receive confirm of your registration within two days.

Note: Registering your details does not guarantee an offer of employment. You should continue to look for another position. Here are some Tips and Hints to help you get another job.

How it works

  1. Unemployed apprentices/trainees register using the online or printed form.
  2. The unemployed apprentices/trainees register is called the Continuing Apprentices Register and is publicly available online. It does not show personal details.
  3. Employers register* themselves as being willing to take on an apprentice or trainee who is part way through their apprenticeship / traineeship.
  4. Employers identify suitable apprentices/trainees on the Continuing Apprentices Register and complete a registration form (if they are not already registered).
  5. State Training Services contacts the employer to discuss the opportunity they are offering for an apprentice or trainee.
  6. State Training Services contacts the apprentice/trainee to discuss the type of work and training that they need to complete their apprenticeship or traineeship.
  7. The employer and apprentice/trainee arrange to meet.
  8. If a job offer is made and accepted, an Australian Apprentice Centre (AAC) visits the workplace when the apprentice/trainee commences to prepare a training contract between the employer and apprentice/trainee.

*Note: The Employers Register is not publicly available on-line.

Types of Apprentices/traineeships
Positions on offer may be

  • Full time or part time
  • School based
  • Directly with a business or through a Group Training Organisation with a host employer

Financial assistance to relocate
Apprentices and trainees who are completing a certificate in a skills shortage occupation may be entitled to State Government financial assistance up to a maximum of $2500 to relocate to another town to continue their apprenticeship or traineeship. Copies of receipts for removal expenses and a rental lease arrangement will be required to claim the actual expenses. See the Relocation Allowance Application Form for eligibility criteria, talk to State Training Services about your eligibility and when your new training contract has been approved, complete the Application Form.

Don’t stop your formal training
Apprentices and trainees should continue their formal training with their training organisation (e.g. TAFE) while they are temporarily unemployed.

Need to talk to someone?
Ring your local State Training Services office – ph 13 28 11 or email caps@det.nsw.edu.au.

Unemployed apprentices and trainees can also seek help from:

Or go to Looking for an apprenticeship or traineeship for online help with finding a job.