Certificate III in Underground Coal Operations

Apprenticeships and traineeships let you combine hands-on work experience with training. You’ll gain job-ready skills and earn an income while you complete a qualification.

As an apprentice or a trainee, you work with an employer while completing your training. Most of your time is spent learning on the job, with some classroom or online training to support the skills you're developing in the workplace.

For some jobs, you may need to do an apprenticeship or traineeship before you are allowed to work as a qualified tradesperson. For example, you need to do an apprenticeship if you want to work as a licensed electrician.

Find out more about apprenticeships and traineeships.

See more information about the apprenticeship or traineeship you’re interested in pursuing on the Queensland Training Information Service.

This course is competency-based training, which means you progress as you demonstrate your skills and knowledge, rather than in a set amount of time.

The duration shown here is an estimate for full-time study based on how long most people take to complete the course. You may finish earlier than other people, or it may take you a bit longer.

If you’ve already completed training or have worked in a relevant area, you could get credits or recognition of prior learning. This can reduce the training you need to complete a qualification, which could reduce the time needed for training.

Duration for apprenticeships and traineeships

Apprenticeships and traineeships take longer than doing the qualification on its own, but you learn valuable hands-on skills.

For some jobs, you may need to do an apprenticeship or traineeship before you are allowed to work as a qualified tradesperson. For example, you need to do an apprenticeship if you want to work as a licensed electrician.

Different courses have different delivery options. Consider your needs when you’re researching courses. Some courses may be delivered entirely online or partially online. Others may be delivered in a classroom.

Some courses, like those delivered through apprenticeships and traineeships, are mostly based in the workplace but with some classroom or online study.

If a certain type of delivery is important to you, talk to your provider before you enrol to make sure they offer that delivery option.

There are lots of ways you can reduce the cost of your course.

• The government could partly or fully cover the cost of your course. See information about financial help and government funding on this page.
• The government also offers funding for some costs related to your course.
• If you’ve already completed training or have worked in a relevant area, you could get a cost credit or recognition of prior learning. This can reduce the training you need to complete a qualification, which could reduce the cost.

The main cost of training is usually the course fees, which vary depending on things like which course and training provider you choose.

You may be able to get your training for free or at a reduced cost, or you could get help with paying for training-related costs. You can also pay for some courses with a VET Student Loan.

Find out more about getting help paying for your training or check if you're eligible.

Some courses have conditions you need to meet before you can enrol in the course. They help make sure you have the right background or skills for the training.

Entry requirements might include a certain education level, skills or knowledge, work status, or experience.