Frequently Asked Questions

Employers

What is the Y Careers Traineeship Program?

The traineeship program exists to address the workforce shortage in the Education and Care sector. It gives trainees the opportunity to gain vocational experience while studying towards a Certificate III in a range of care-related qualifications, instilling best practice in trainee educators from the beginning. The focus of the program is to match high-calibre trainees with education and care providers/services who share values and fit team culture, leading to strong retention within the industry.

Why should I employ a trainee through Y Careers?

Employing a trainee is a strategic investment, not just in your team, but in the future of your workforce.

Y Careers will partner closely with you to understand your centre's unique needs, then identify and recommend trainees who are well-matched to your service. Beyond recruitment, Y Careers provides ongoing coaching and professional development for your supervisors, ensuring they're equipped to support and grow alongside trainees.

By welcoming a trainee into your team, you:

• Support the development of a future educator
• Gain an additional team member to assist with ratios while they learn
• Ensure their learning aligns with your quality standards and philosophy
• Contribute to strengthening sector capacity with job-ready professionals
• Reinforce your service's commitment to meaningful, long-term workforce development

Employing a trainee helps your centre grow while making a lasting impact across the sector.

What support does Y Careers provide?

Each trainee and employer partner receives support from a dedicated Career Coach throughout the program. Your Career Coach is your ongoing point of contact — proactive, responsive, and focused on helping your trainee succeed.

Career Coaches provide regular check-ins with trainees and supervisors, offering guidance, addressing any challenges early, and ensuring both your trainee and your staff feel supported throughout the entire program.

Who employs the trainee?

Y Careers is the trainee's legal employer; however, the trainee will be "hosted" at your place of business and will work for you.

Do I need to employ a trainee for a set period?

Yes, this will vary by care sector and qualification;

• Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) – employed for 18 months
• Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) – employed for 18 months
• Aged Care and Disability – employed for 12 months 

Who selects the trainee to work in my business?

This is a collaborative process with the Y Careers Recruitment Team. We carefully screen potential trainees to ensure they meet the eligibility and suitability criteria for your service, then present shortlisted, pre-screened candidates for you to interview and onboard with confidence. The team will work with you to establish your needs and facilitate tailored recruitment activities to source suitable candidates.

What do my responsibilities as an Employer Partner include?

As an Employer Partner, you are required to:

• Provide a safe and supportive working environment for your trainee(s) at all times.
• Roster the trainee in line with their contracted hours, part-time or full-time (13–38 hours per week).
• Nominate an appropriately qualified workplace supervisor (e.g. Educational Leader, registered nurse) to provide guidance, feedback and support to help the trainee learn and develop new skills.
• Provide paid withdrawal (study) time and release the trainee to attend and complete their regular training requirements.
• Allow for teacher visits to complete assessments, and attend and provide feedback at monitoring visits with the trainee and Y Careers Career Coach.
• Provide regular feedback and performance evaluations, offering constructive guidance for improvement, and support the trainee's evidence of ongoing competency development.
• Ensure compliance and adherence to WHS legislation and other state and federal regulatory requirements, including providing ongoing health and safety training/education and appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Report any notifiable incidents (serious work-related injuries, illnesses and dangerous incidents) and any near misses to your dedicated Y Careers Career Coach as soon as practicably possible.
• Ensure the well-being, safety, and success of your trainee(s) at all times.

What is withdrawal (study) time and how much do I need to provide?

Withdrawal (study) time is paid time during work hours for the trainee to engage in formal learning (not routine duties). This is organised in consultation with Y Careers, the Registered Training Organisation, and you (the employer partner).

• Full-time trainees – a minimum of 3 hrs/week (averaged over one month)
• Part-time trainees – a minimum of 1.5 hrs/week (averaged over one month)

Who monitors the Trainee’s training progress?

Your trainee’s progress will be monitored by a team consisting of their Y Careers Career Coach, Program Manager and Employer Partner Supervisor.  

What RTOs do you partner with, and what are the delivery options?

We partner with RTOs, TAFEs and universities, and delivery varies by region:

• Swinburne University of Technology
• ITFE
• Adapt Education
• TAFE QLD
• CQUniversity Australia
• Skilled Care
• Insight Training

We will help match your trainee with the best-fit provider based on geography and needs.

What support does Y Careers provide to employers?

Y Careers offers end-to-end support to make hosting a trainee seamless and beneficial for your service, including:

• Pre-screened trainee candidates – shortlisted, suitable applicants ready for you to interview and onboard.
• Dedicated Career Coach – a single point of contact to guide you and your trainee throughout the traineeship.
• Frequent check-ins – regular communication to support both the service and the trainee, troubleshoot issues, and ensure progress.
• Optional PD for supervisors – training to help your team support the trainee effectively.
• Coordination of teacher visits and assessments – our teaching staff liaise with you to conduct on-site assessments and practical sign-offs.

How much does it cost?

As a registered charity and not-for-profit, Y Careers charges Employer Partners an hourly rate for each trainee, which includes a comprehensive suite of services, including:

• Job advertising and recruitment
• Candidate screening and interview coordination
• Career Coach mentoring fees
• Wages
• Superannuation
• Annual leave
• Personal Leave
• Public holiday  Leave
• Education fees
• Workers' compensation
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Pre-employment checks (including but not limited to): National Police Check, Working With Children Check, NDIS Worker Screening Check)
• Vaccinations (including but not limited to): Flu, COVID-19

Please contact Michael Oosterwyk, National Partnerships Manager at michael.oosterwyk@ycareers.org.au  for the costs associated with employing a Trainee.

How do I get started or hire a trainee?

Submit an Expression of Interest via our online form, or email [email protected] and a member of staff will be in touch to support you through the next steps. Once we receive your expression of interest, our team will:

• Connect with you to understand the specific needs of your service and identify the most suitable pre-screened trainee candidates for interview.
• Guide you through each stage of the onboarding and enrolment process.
• Provide ongoing support to ensure your trainee is well-supported throughout their training journey.

Who should I contact regarding the Y Careers Trainee?

• For hiring a trainee - [email protected] or [email protected]
• For recruitment inquiries - [email protected]
• For specific questions related to an existing trainee – Reach out to your assigned Career Coach

For all other queries, contact us.

Trainees

Is there an age limit for Traineeships?

Our current program is funded to deliver a young person aged between 18 and 26.

What will be my day-to-day tasks during my Traineeship?

Your tasks will vary depending on the placement you choose but could include:

• Assist in planning and executing engaging, age-appropriate activities that promote learning and development.
• Support and interact with children, creating a safe and stimulating environment.
• Provide feedback on progress and track developmental milestones.
• Help with daily activities such as shopping, running errands, and food preparation.
• Help with personal care tasks.
• Organise and participate in social activities and outings.
• Provide companionship, fostering meaningful relationships.
• Promote an inclusive environment where everyone feels respected and valued.
• Administrative duties, such as record-keeping and ensuring compliance with documentation.

What is the duration of the Traineeship and how many hours per week will I have to work?

A full-time trainee is employed under a training contract to work for 38 hours per week for 12 months. Trainees also receive annual leave, sick leave, public holidays, and breaks. A part-time trainee is employed under a training contract to work a minimum of 13 or 21 hours per week depending on your state requirements and receives applicable award conditions.
 

How much will I be paid?

Pay can vary depending on your traineeship.

If you’re completing a care sector traineeship, you’ll be paid under the Y Careers Enterprise Agreement. For all other industries, pay is based on the National Training Wage Award.

Your pay rate may also be influenced by:

• The highest level of schooling you’ve completed
• Any qualifications you already have

If you’d like more specific information about your pay, feel free to reach out to our Recruitment Team at [email protected].

Who is my Employer and who do I work for?

Y Careers is your legal employer and will pay your salary, as well as provide a range of tailored supports and coordinate your work placement and training program. You will be ‘hosted’ to a partner organisation within the care industry which could include Disability, Aged Care, Early Childhood Education and Care or Out of School Hours Care.

What support will I receive as a Trainee?

As a Y Careers trainee, you will receive:

• Personalised employment support
• Job matching and placement
• Career Coaching
• Ongoing training and learning
• You will also have access to our Connect Different app 

What qualification will I be required to complete, and do I have to pay for it?

All Trainees will study a Certificate III or above and there is no cost for the education. 

• Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) - Cert III in Early Childhood Education and Care or Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
• Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) - Cert III in Community Services, Cert III in Outside School Hours Care Or a qualification deemed equivalent, subject to state and territory training requirements
• Aged Care - Cert III in Individual Support with an option for a 2nd-year traineeship studying a Cert IV in Aged Care
• Disability - Cert III in Individual Support with an optional 2nd-year traineeship studying a Cert IV in Disability Support

What is the cost of doing the program?

There’s no cost to trainees; you will be paid to complete your training. 

Do Y Careers guarantee a job on completion of the Traineeship program?

Y Careers does not guarantee you a job on completion of your traineeship, however, we will work closely with you to discuss your options post traineeship, including a second traineeship, further education or assistance in finding permanent work within the industry.

What happens once I finish my Traineeship and time at Y Careers?

We want to keep you involved with all things Y Careers. We will host networking and alumni events to connect all our past and present trainees whilst also sharing any career opportunities that may arise within our team.

What if I don't get placed in a Traineeship?

If you're not placed straight away, you'll stay on our list and remain in our pool of candidates for the right opportunity when it comes up. You'll also get access to the Connect Different app, our Job Seeker platform, which gives you a jobs board, resources to help you land a role, and support from our AI support companion Jett, plus more. Explore Connect Different

Recruit, Coach & Retain Candidates

What is the Recruit, Coach & Retain Program?

This program is for people who are already qualified in education and care. We match you with employers looking for skilled professionals, coordinate the entire process, and provide you with a dedicated Career Coach for ongoing support for up to 6 months once you start your new role.

How much does it cost?

No. The program is completely free for job seekers. The employer covers the cost of the service.

Is this program just for young people?

No. While Y Careers' traineeship program focuses on supporting young people aged 18–26 through a Commonwealth exemption under the Age Discrimination Act 2004, this exemption does not apply to the Recruit, Coach & Retain program. As Y Careers is not the legal employer, this service is open to people of all ages.

What kind of roles will I be matched with?

You'll be matched with roles across the education and care sector, including Early Childhood Education and Care, Out of School Hours Care, aged care, and disability support.

What support will I get once I'm placed?

Once you start your new role, you'll have access to a dedicated Career Coach for six months to support you as you settle in, answer questions, and help you grow in your position.

How do I apply or get started?

To express your interest in the Recruit, Coach & Retain Program, reach out to our Recruitment Services Team at [email protected] and we'll take it from there.

Am I guaranteed a placement?

Yes. If you're eligible and your application meets the program criteria, you will be guaranteed a placement.

What if the role isn't the right fit?

If a placement doesn't work out, we'll work with you to find an alternative role that's a better match. Your Career Coach will support you through that transition.