Traineeships

Traineeship Programs

The benefits of developing a pool of young, knowledgeable, ethical practitioners to an individual business, as well as the insurance and risk community as a whole, are obvious.While formal study and textbooks provide the basic knowledge and skills, it is the guidance provided by senior personnel that builds understanding of what it means to be a professional in broking, underwriting or claims handling. NIBA College offers Traineeships to students studying at Certificate III level.

Broking and general insurance licensees that need their representatives to meet ASIC compliance requirements can enrol their trainee into a program that includes Tier 2 accreditation. Traineeship schemes provide an ideal opportunity for employers to train their new staff to compliance level at a minimal cost.

The Traineeship program ensures students are given the necessary level support. Employers must designate a Superviser to the Trainee, and NIBA College also maintains close contact with the student throughout the duration of their traineeship. Mentoring is an important strategy in developing productive and motivated staff and consultants at all levels. However, for new entrants, effective mentoring helps to imbue positive attitudes to work and the groundings of ethical industry practice.

Most new entrants begin their studies and work experiences enthusiastically.However over the years that NIBA College has been monitoring traineeship outcomes it is clear that the workplace manager is important in keeping the new entrance interested in the broking profession and involved in the industry as well as compliance with organisational requirements. A clear example is the WestAustralianInsuranceAcademy which was set up by the local NIBA committee with local insurers to set up as a new style of broking cadetship. The positive experience of employee and employer participants seems in a large part to be linked to the higher levels of active involvement between supervisor and trainees.

To view course descriptions for these qualifications, view the program summary.

Information about NIBA College traineeship programs:

Gaining entry
Student support
Enrolment
Module exemptions and credits
Want to know more about traineeships?

For any other queries about traineeship programs please email qualifications@nibacollege.com.au

Gaining entry

The scheme is for new entrants into the industry or those moving into a new role from other areas. It is preferred that applicants have no post-secondary qualifications although this may not exclude them from participating in the system. A traineeship contract is a formal agreement between the employer, trainee, training provider (NIBA College) and the government training authority.

Employers apply to the government training authority to gain approval to employ an individual under the traineeship scheme. This is an easy process that is undertaken through their local Australian Apprenticeship Centre. Go to www.newapprenticeships.gov.au/search/aacsearch.asp to do a Post Code search for your local center if you are interested in applying.

Study incentives
From 1 July 2005, trainees enrolled in a Certificate III course can apply for government income support though Youth Allowance, Austudy or ABSTUDY. Information about eligibility can be obtained from the Centrelink website at www.centrelink.gov.au.

Student support

NIBA College provides various types of learning support for Certificate II and III students including:

Study guides that provide advice on how to approach the course material and assessment activities;
Tele-tutorials with a tutor; and
Assistance to form study groups.

In addition NIBA College assessors and staff regularly monitor the progress of those undertaking traineeships. Trainees are also expected to demonstrate steady progress through the course material by completing assessment activities on a monthly basis. Current students can contact studying@nibacollege.com.au for assistance.

Enrolment

The first step to enrolling a Trainee is to contact the Australian Apprenticeships Centre to apply. Following this you can nominate NIBA College as your Training Provider. You can find out more about the guidelines applicable to your State by using the links below:

New South Wales - http://apprenticeship.det.nsw.edu.au/index1.htm

ACT - http://www.decs.act.gov.au/services/training.htm

Victoria - http://www.otte.vic.gov.au/

South Australia - http://www.training.sa.gov.au/

Western Australia - http://www.apprenticeships.training.wa.gov.au/tships/

Queensland - http://www.trainandemploy.qld.gov.au/client/apprenticeships_and_traineeships/index.html

Candidates must ensure they note that they are enrolling as a Trainee on their enrolment form. All Candidates must agree to abide by the Terms and Conditions before they enrol in the program.

Module exemptions and credits

Those trainees who feel they already have some office skills experience or business qualifications can apply for recognition of prior learning and gain module exemptions. Applicants must supply a copy of their certificate of completion and if applicable, a competency statement listing the national standards achieved. Or you can complete an RPL kit.

Want to know more about traineeships?

The following websites may provide useful information, or to contact us directly email qualifications@nibacollege.com.au.

http://www.dest.gov.au/

http://www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au/

Other helpful sites for potential trainees include

http://www.myfuture.edu.au/

http://jobguide.dest.gov.au/