Your career pathway : how it works
You are just five steps from where you are now, to a career in engineering trades.
1. Explore the trades
Start by understanding what mechanical engineering and fabrication actually involve — the day-to-day work, the industries you’d enter, the tools you’d use and where the career can take you.
Explore both trades, and get a clear picture of what the pathway looks like before you commit to anything.
What to do:
- Learn more on the Engineering Trades and Careers pages
- Use the audience sections below to find information specific to your situation
- Contact us to talk through any questions or requirements
2. Register your interest
Sound interesting? If you're curious, you can register your interest on this website.
This is not a formal application — it’s the first conversation. It lets our team know you’re interested and gives the team the information needed to match you to the right pathway.
What happens when you enquire?
- You’ll receive a confirmation email and information about what happens next
- A team member will be in touch to discuss your situation and goals
- No commitment is required at this stage
3. Get job ready
Before entering an apprenticeship, you'll need to gain work experience and / or basic competency through a Certificate II qualification. This will help you gain an apprenticeship.
This builds the foundational skills employers expect and gives you direct experience of working in the trade before committing to a full apprenticeship.
What pre-apprenticeship training includes:
- Hands-on workshops with real tools and equipment
- Industry safety standards and workplace practices
- Nationally recognised units of competency
- Direct exposure to the industries you’ll be working in
Duration and scheduling details will be confirmed when you register - we can answer more questions on this when you enquire.
4. Get an employer and start earning and learning.
Apply
Employers and Group Training Organisations (GTOs) hire apprentices and teach the practical skills and on-the-job experience in a workplace. You can find these roles on SEEK, or GTO sites such as ATEC.
At the same time, you'll be trained by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) such as ATEC, to complete your formal training. You will learn the theory and skills to get your qualification.
After applying you may be shortlisted for an interview where we make sure that you are applying for a course that is suitable for you, and that you are job-ready.
Group Training Organisations support the placement process, you're not doing this alone.
5. Start your apprenticeship and build your career
Your apprenticeship is where everything comes together.
You’ll earn income from day one, work alongside experienced tradespeople and continue building nationally recognised qualifications while you work. The apprenticeship is the foundation of a long-term career — not just a job.
What your apprenticeship delivers:
- Paid employment from day one — no deferred income, no HECS debt
- Nationally recognised trade qualification
- Ongoing mentorship and support from ATEC and your employer
- A clear progression pathway: Apprentice → Qualified Tradesperson → Supervisor → Project Manager → Business Owner
Register your interest
This pathway is for you
Year 11–12 School Leavers
Start your career before your peers finish their degrees.
Engineering trades are a direct entry into a high-skill career. You don’t need to wait, defer or take on debt to get started.
While others are in orientation week, you could already be working — earning income, building real skills and gaining qualifications that employers across defence, manufacturing and infrastructure actively recruit for.
What the pathway looks like for you:
- Register your interest now - no commitment required
- Complete structured pre-apprenticeship training with ATEC
- Get matched to an employer in your chosen trade
- Start your apprenticeship - earning from day one
- Build toward a qualified trade, supervisory or leadership role
Proof points:
- Paid from the first day of your apprenticeship
- Nationally recognised qualifications - no HECS debt
- Mechanical and fabrication trades are nationally listed as occupations in shortage
If you’ve started university and you’re reconsidering
Changing direction is a decision, not a setback.
Some of the most capable people in engineering trades came via a different route first. Recognising that a hands-on, applied career suits you better is a strategic move - not a backwards step.
Mechanical engineering and fabrication trades are technically advanced, commercially valuable and in sustained demand. They offer complex, precision-driven work that requires real intelligence and skill; just applied differently.
What the pathway looks like for you:
- Speak to the ATEC team about your situation — the conversation is confidential and carries no obligation
- Understand how your existing study may complement trade training
- Complete pre-apprenticeship training to confirm the trade is right for you before committing
- Get matched to an employer and start earning while you qualify
What’s different about this path:
- Income from day one — no more accumulating debt
- Technical, precision-driven work that uses analytical thinking
- Clear career progression into senior, supervisory and leadership roles
- Work on significant projects in defence, infrastructure and advanced manufacturing
If you’re already working and want a change
You don’t have to stop earning to start building a better career.
Engineering trades are one of the few retraining pathways where you earn income while you qualify. The apprenticeship model means you’re employed, paid and building credentials simultaneously.
Mechanical and fabrication trades are in national shortage. That means employers are actively looking - and the income progression for qualified tradespeople is strong.
What the pathway looks like for you:
- Register your interest and speak to ATEC about your current situation
- Discuss timing, scheduling and how training fits around your existing commitments
- Complete pre-apprenticeship training — duration and scheduling confirmed at registration
- Get matched to an employer and begin your paid apprenticeship
- Qualify with nationally recognised credentials that transfer across industries
Why the timing is right:
- Both trades are nationally listed as occupations in shortage
- Strong income progression from apprentice through to qualified tradesperson and beyond
- Skills that transfer across defence, mining, infrastructure and advanced manufacturing
- A long-term career — not just a job change
Women in engineering trades
Engineering trades are for people who want to build something real.
Women are working across mechanical engineering and fabrication in defence, infrastructure and advanced manufacturing. The work is technical, skilled and well-paid. And the industry needs more of the right people.
ATEC supports all participants through pre-apprenticeship training and into employer placements. If you’re considering a trade and want to understand what it involves before committing, the conversation starts with a registration.
What to expect:
- Structured training in a professional workshop environment
- Direct placement support into employers across defence, manufacturing and infrastructure
- Nationally recognised qualifications and clear career progression
- An industry that needs skilled, precise, technically capable people
Information for parents
A structured pathway into a high-demand career.
Engineering trades offer long-term career security, strong income potential and a clear progression pathway. They are nationally listed as occupations in shortage — meaning qualified tradespeople are in sustained demand across defence, infrastructure, manufacturing and mining.
ATEC’s Engineered for Excellence program provides structured, industry-aligned training followed by direct employer placement. Your child won’t be navigating the job market alone — ATEC makes the introduction to employers and supports the process from training through to apprenticeship.
What the program provides:
- Nationally accredited pre-apprenticeship training — not a short course
- Hands-on workshops with real equipment and industry-experienced trainers
- Direct connections to employers in defence, manufacturing and infrastructure
- Paid apprenticeship from day one — no HECS debt
- Nationally recognised trade qualification
- Clear progression: Apprentice → Tradesperson → Supervisor → Project Manager → Business Owner
- Common questions from parents:
- How long does training take? Duration is confirmed at registration. Pre-apprenticeship training precedes the apprenticeship, which typically runs three to four years.
- Is this a recognised qualification? Yes. All training leads to nationally recognised qualifications under the Australian Qualifications Framework.
- Will they have support throughout? Yes. ATEC supports participants through training, employer placement and the early stages of their apprenticeship.
Resources for schools
Connect your students to high-demand engineering careers.
Engineered for Excellence supports schools in delivering meaningful career pathway information to students at the point of subject and pathway selection.
ATEC works directly with schools across South Australia to provide career presentations, employer engagement opportunities and resources that give students and their families a clear picture of what engineering trades involve and where they lead.
What ATEC offers schools:
- Career presentations for Year 10, 11 and 12 students
- Industry engagement and employer connections
- Pathway information resources for students, parents and career advisors
- Direct referral pathway for students ready to register their interest
To discuss how ATEC can support your school’s career education program, get in touch