The companies helping you gain qualifications while you work

Earning while learning is not just for tradies, with many companies across Australia offering free training and qualifications from certificate II to diploma level.

Jobseekers are urged to target companies that also operate as registered training organisations to gain qualifications while they work.

The Commonwealth Bank, Qantas, McDonald’s, KFC and supermarket chain Drakes are among 160 enterprise RTOs in Australia that offer free training and qualifications to their employees.

Boral, Queensland Rail, SA Power Networks and meat processor JBS Australia are also enterprise RTOs, with qualifications on offer ranging from certificate II to diploma level.

Enterprise Registered Training Organisation Association president Chris Butler says the ability to learn and earn makes choosing an enterprise RTO a “no-brainer’’.

“It’s a great idea for jobseekers to look for work with an enterprise RTO employer,’’ he says.

“Our qualifications range from retail, marine and maritime, financial services, surf and rescue, and even explosives for the quarrying and mining sector.

“We concentrate on the skills and knowledge that are directly relevant to what each enterprise needs … but that are strongly transferable to other organisations. For (those employed by enterprise RTOs), it’s a win-win.’’

Liam Bell says he has learned skills such as team coaching, leadership and people performance. Picture: Supplied

Butler says enterprise RTOs offer the “purest VET model you can get’’ by teaching only the skills that are directly relevant to their workplace.

He believes the ability to provide the highest possible level of practical experience also makes enterprise RTOs superior to other providers.

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McDonald’s people and culture director Lisa Apthorpe says achieving an accredited qualification through work is “a really great bonus’’ for staff.

Last year, more than 3500 Macca’s employees completed a certificate II or III qualification in retail, with about two-thirds of those now undertaking a certificate IV or a diploma in leadership and management.

Apthorpe says research shows 84 per cent of bosses prefer to hire former McDonald’s employees, which is evidence of the quality of training offered by enterprise RTOs.

“(Learning through an enterprise RTO) definitely makes you more successful,’’ she says.

“If you’re training with McDonald’s then you’re living and breathing that every day – every day you are in the restaurant you are continuing to develop those skills.’’

McDonald’s worker Liam Bell says he would not have undertaken a Certificate III in retail management if it had not been offered by his employer.

Through his work, Bell, 24, has also completed courses in first aid and fire protection.

“I’ve learnt transferable skills, such as team coaching, leadership and people performance, which are all essential for managerial roles across an array of industries,’’ Bell says. “McDonald’s are good at teaching you foundation skills and showing you how to do it really well.”