July 2010     From 2012 students from years 9 to 12 will be offered a new National Trade Cadetship as an option under the National Curriculum. This Cadetship will be delivered through their local Trades Training Centre and through other eligible venues.

There will be two streams of National Trade Cadetship available: 1. National Trade Cadetship - Foundation which will focus on essential work readiness skills and laying the foundation for further training; and 2. National Trade Cadetship - Pre-Apprentice which will focus on specific trade or occupation area.

The National Trade Cadetships will be developed by the Australian Curriculum and Assessment Reporting Authority (ACARA), in partnership with Industry Skills Councils and with States and Territories. National Trade Cadetships will be nationally recognised and will provide credit towards an apprenticeship or further training.

 ACARA will work with States and Territories to ensure the Cadetships contribute towards state based senior awards, in the same way as other approved subjects under the National Curriculum. This will mean that the National Curriculum will define the essential skills and knowledge required for employability and vocational skills. This will mean that more secondary students will have the option to start a pathway towards recognised trade qualifications while still at school.

The National Trade Cadetship will help make students work ready and will help create a more skilled workforce.

Service Skills Australia has welcomed the Labour announcement of National Trade Cadetships should they be re-elected to Government.

"The main strength of the cadetships is that they allow for greater participation of industry in vocational education and training in schools", said Jeanette Allen, CEO of Service Skills Australia.

"The cadetships will give students the exposure to real occupations and workplaces prior to commencing an apprenticeship. They also ensure the training they receive at school equips them with real workplace skills and a clearer pathway to employment".

"In turn, this gives the service industry enterprises access to better prepared new entrants".

From information provided by the Prime Minister and Service Skills Australia. July 20, 2010.

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