Indigenous Employment

What is a Traineeship?

An Australian traineeship is a vocational education and training (VET) pathway of employment. A traineeship is a training agreement between the trainee and their employer whereby the employer agrees to train the trainee via employment, and the trainee agrees to work and conduct study. This type of employment combines paid on the job training with an accredited national VET qualification delivered by a registered training organisation (RTO). Traineeships are presented to people of all ages and can last for as long as 48 months. Hiring a trainee is a great way to train a specific skill set within a workplace environment that is specific to fulfilling an employer’s needs.

What is an Ignite Traineeship?

Ignite trainees will be employed on full time fixed term 12-month employment contracts under the respective WSU/College professional staff agreements. In addition to this a formal training plan will be developed in consensus with the host unit in delivering the BSB30120 Certificate III in Business by The College as the RTO provider. The Office of Indigenous Employment will facilitate and provide strong support on this whole process.

How do I host an Ignite trainee?

Any team can host a trainee, given they have sufficient budget to fund the position. An application process will be completed collecting key details including the trainee supervisor’s contact information, employment location and confirmation of budget allocation. To inquire about hosting a trainee please contact DVCIL@westernsydney.edu.au.

When are applications assessed, and host units notified?

Applications will be assessed, and business units advised by end of December every year.

What is the cost to the host unit?

The Ignite Traineeship positions are set at a Higher Education Worker Level 1. The host unit will cover the cost of this salary along with any non-salary item costs. For an accurate breakdown of costings please contact DVCIL@westernsydney.edu.au Western Sydney University The College work in collaboration with the Office of Indigenous Employment to deliver the Certificate III in Business with no charge to the trainee.

What commitment is required by the host unit?

• Host trainees for a 12-month fixed term of employment.
• Provide a supportive and encouraging workplace environment.
• Provide an ergonomically friendly workstation set up (work desk, chair and equipment).
• Put in place genuine on the job training in accordance with the traineeship training plan.
• Set up in house mentorship with a suitable work colleague.
• Ensure trainees are compliant to unit workplace responsibilities.
• Regularly consult with the Indigenous Employment Officer (Sharna McNamara) and other relevant stakeholders when needed.
• Provide ongoing information on potential vacancies for future employment within the unit or relevant business contacts.

What expectations should the host unit have of the Trainee?

An Australian Indigenous person aged 18 and above can enter Westerns Ignite Indigenous Traineeship Program. The Trainees will be able to provide professional, friendly, and engaging service support to the workplace supervisor and the host unit. The Trainee will complete all required and requested tasks appropriate to this level position and prioritise task completion in accordance with the University’s policy and procedures. This includes record keeping and filing systems as directed by workplace supervisor in accordance with University’s policy and procedures.

What is a Traineeship?

An Australian traineeship is a vocational education and training (VET) pathway of employment. During a traineeship the trainee will earn a wage and receive educational training about specific to the industry you have been employed within. This opportunity allows the trainee to build a practical and theoretical knowledge base of their field of work through paid on the job training and an accredited national VET qualification delivered by a registered training organisation (RTO). Traineeships are presented to people of all ages and can last for as long as 48 months.

What is the Ignite Traineeship Program?

The Ignite Indigenous Traineeship Program is available to Australian Indigenous peoples of Greater Western Sydney to participate in on-the-job training alongside vocational education and training (VET) in a large higher education organisation.

This is an identified position and applicants must be an Aboriginal and /or Torres Strait Islander person. Being an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person is a genuine occupational qualification as authorised under Section 14(D) of the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act, 1977 NSW.

About the role

As a Business Administration Trainee, you will have a 12-month opportunity to learn various aspects of administration within a business environment. The main aspects of the role will include:

• Providing service/administrative support to the workplace supervisor and business unit
• Maintain record keeping and filing systems
• Use computerised information systems and related technologies
• Prioritising own and other adhoc tasks to meet required deadlines

This is a full-time, fixed term role for 12-months with multiple positions on offer. These positions will be based in the multiple Divisions or Facilities across Western Sydney University.

There are multiple opportunities at the following WSU campuses.

• Bankstown City
• Campbelltown
• Hawkesbury
• Kingswood
• Liverpool City
• Parramatta City & Engineering Innovation Hub
• Parramatta South
• Westmead

Please note that some of these roles are shared between two or more of the offices within these sectors of the university and a trainee will need to travel to a new campus for the next period of their employment.

About you

To be considered for intake into this entry level employment program candidates will need to meet the following criteria:

• To identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person
• To have completed a year 9 level of schooling or equivalent
• To have an interest in general business administration duties
• Have not completed any formal education equivalent to or higher than a Certificate III in Business.
• To display a commitment to enrol and complete a Certificate III in Business traineeship for 12 months.

When are applications open and how do I apply?

Applications for the Ignite Traineeship open every year from August. If you're interested in future opportunities outside of the application period, you can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the provided link. This ensures you'll be notified when positions become available and helps you prepare ahead of time for the application process. For more inquires or support please contact DVCIL@westernsydney.edu.au.

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What will I be paid?

The Ignite Traineeship positions are set at a Higher Education Worker Level 1. For an accurate breakdown of costings please contact DVCIL@westernsydney.edu.au

Does the training cost me anything?

There is no cost to applicant for the training. Applicants will be paid while they work and study. Western Sydney University The College work in collaboration with the Office of Indigenous Employment to deliver the Certificate III in Business with no charge to the trainee.

What are the career development opportunities and the post-traineeship plan?

Throughout your traineeship, you will gain valuable skills through both formal training and on-the-job experience. As part of the program, Ignite offers a dedicated career development training day focused on resume writing, interview preparation, and navigating application processes. This session is delivered toward the end of the traineeship to support participants in securing employment within or beyond the university. For those interested in pursuing further study, additional support is provided throughout the application process and into the commencement of their higher education journey.