Student FAQ’s
Student FAQ’s
We deliver nationally-recognised qualifications within the Community Services, Children’s Services, Retail, Business, Warehousing & Supply Chain Operations industries.
We are currently developing introductory courses in Hospitality and Digital Skills and redeveloping our learning hubs for people with additional support needs. Our trainers are recruited for their industry knowledge, current competency and adult learning expertise.
Educators looking to recommend courses for students? Download our brochure.
Ways to train
Traineeships
A traineeship is typically a year-long program that combines two primary modes of training: classroom learning, for structured learning opportunities, and on-the-job training and experience.
Correspondence
You can study by correspondence, with assistance being offered by qualified METS trainers over the phone and via emails if needed. This option is offered when courses are undertaken via self-funded study.
In Person
We offer select courses to be completed via classroom learning.
Contact us to learn more.
Traineeships
Traineeships 101 – Before you begin
To be eligible to commence a traineeship, a participant must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident working full or part time (minimum 15 hours). The participant must have the support of their employer, an accredited RTO (like METS) and an Australian Apprenticeship Centre.
Finding a traineeship is similar to finding any job. You’ll need to network with employers and job recruitment agencies and market yourself within your chosen sector.
A New Entrant Trainee is any participant who has begun/will begin their traineeship within 3 months of full time employment or 12 months of part time employment. The NSW state Government may fund METS for these traineeships and therefore the only cost incurred to the participant /employer is the enrolment fee. Concessions do apply and incentives are available to eligible students.
An Existing Worker Trainee is any participant who has begun/will begin their traineeship after 3 months of full time employment or 12 months of part time employment. Unlike New Entrant Traineeships, the NSW State Government does not fund METS for Existing Worker Traineeships and therefore METS must invoice the employer to cover the training costs. In most cases the incentives the employer receives from the Commonwealth Government will offset these costs.
Self-funded Studies
Everything you need to know about studying by correspondence
If a participant is ineligible for a traineeship due to their employment status (casual, part-time working under 15 hours etc.), they can still complete the course as a Fee for Service Student.
If a participant is ineligible for a traineeship due to their residency status, they can in some cases still complete the qualification Self-Funded, however visa restrictions do apply. It is best to speak to your immigration officer and/or us regarding your eligibility.
Self-Funded training is a delivery method where the participant studies via correspondence. Various purchasing options are available, and learners are assigned a dedicated trainer for nurtured support.
Yes. Depending on the qualification you will need to complete around 6-8 weeks approximately of practical work. You will need the cooperation of a service and this can be done volunteer. This allows us to sign off on your on the job skills as well as your written work.
Ways to Pay
Everything you need to know about your payment options and government funding
Smart and Skilled is a reform of the NSW Vocational Education and Training (VET) system. It helps people in NSW get the skills they need to find a job and advance their careers.
The Smart and Skilled program provides eligible learners with an entitlement to government-subsidised training up to and including Certificate III government funding for higher-level courses (Certificate IV and above) in targeted priority areas.
From 2015, Smart and Skilled introduces new prices and fee arrangements for government-subsidised courses. The NSW Government contributes to the cost of each course and the learner pays the balance. Fees are for the whole course, rather than year-by-year. Fee exemptions and concessions are also available for disadvantaged learners.
If a participant feels they may be ineligible for a traineeship due to their residency status, it is best to speak to your immigration officer and/or us regarding your eligibility.
Self-Funded training is a delivery method where the participant studies via correspondence, purchasing their units as they go. Currently, self-funded courses have no face-to-face study time.
Studying with METS Training Services
Everything you need to know about payment options
Depending on the unit of study, you will complete both theory and practical based assessments to achieve competency in your qualification. Assessments may include short answer, project work, case students and reflection logs.
Not at all! A ‘Not Yet Result’ means just that; that you still need a little extra work to achieve competency. Your trainer will contact you regarding any issues and will work with you to develop your understanding and in turn achieve competency. We will allow up to 3 re-attempts at competency, after which a fee will be payable (see Learner Handbook – The Study Process)
You will be assigned to a qualified trainer/assessor to support and guide you through your training journey and mark your assessments. You will be advised of who your trainer is by receiving a Trainer Profile Form at the beginning of your training journey. A qualified trainer will mark all of your assessments and will notify you of your competencies via email or phone.
Traineeships and Employers
We will endeavour to complete student inductions within 4 weeks from the enrolment start date and will contact you regarding these matters. However if you have any concerns, please contact us.
Yes. You should be withdrawn from routine work duties, with pay, for a minimum of 3 hours per week, averaged over a 4 week period, for the purpose of undertaking formal training/learning/assessment activities*. A trainee should contact us if they have any concerns regarding this time.
*Extracted from NSW Apprenticeship/Traineeship – Training Plan as per NSW State Training Services regulations.
Yes, however your training contract will need to be amended by your Australian Apprenticeship Centre and incentives will need to be cancelled. We will need to be notified of the change to discontinue training with your previous employer. In the case that training will not recommence with us, the participant will be issued with a statement of attainment for the units completed which can be used for credit transfer upon beginning their new traineeship.
Both you and your employer should be in agreement regarding the cancellation of your traineeship. One or both parties can then contact us to notify us of the cancellation. We will inform the Australian Apprenticeship Centre and forms will be sent to the employer to be signed and sent back. If you have received any competencies in your qualification, you will be issued with a statement of attainment which can be used for credit transfer if training recommences. Unfortunately, the enrolment fee is non-refundable if training has commenced.
If you are having problems with your employer, you should contact the Industrial Relations helpline on 131 628 or Training Services NSW on 13 28 11.
Extensions etc.
Extentions and more!
You should allow up to 28 days for your certificate to arrive in the mail, providing all required documentation has been received and course fees have been paid. If you have an outstanding enrolment fee or unsigned forms, this can attribute to your certificate being delayed. We will do all we can to contact you regarding these issues, however please feel free to contact us if you have any concerns.
Yes. Under certain circumstances your traineeship can be extended, however this process can take some time and applying for an extension should be considered as a last resort. You should speak to us and/or your Australian Apprenticeship Centre if you are considering applying for an extension.
Yes. However you will need to contact your Australian Apprenticeship Centre and State Training to have your training plan amended. We will be notified of the suspension and will discontinue training until your traineeship recommences.
METS Refund Policy can be found under Fees and Refunds in the Learner Handbook available on our website here.
Other Questions
When your New Entrant Traineeship is registered with State Training, you will receive a letter stating your TCID number. With this number you can fill in the Travel Concession form found here. Unfortunately Existing Worker Trainees are not eligible to receive a travel concession card. We can not provide you with your TCID number. For any enquiries contact State Training on 13 28 11.
No. You will have three months from the time of your Certificate III completion to roll over to a Diploma traineeship to still be considered as New Entrant. You will need to complete the traineeship as an Existing Worker if you don’t enrol within this three month time frame.
In most cases, yes. You could undergo the process of Recognition of Prior Learning to obtain a qualification. It is best to speak to us regarding eligibility and pricing or click here to contact us.