Home > Services > National Apprenticeship > Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
The NTA ascribes to the ILO’s definition of apprenticeship.
According to the ILO apprenticeship should be understood as any form of education and training that is governed by an apprenticeship agreement and enables an apprentice to acquire the competencies required to work in an occupation through structured and remunerated or otherwise financially compensated training consisting of both on-the-job and off-the-job learning that leads to a recognized qualification.
Information on Apprenticeship Programme Registration can be sourced on the NTA’s Website. The Employers Guide – Registration of Apprenticeship Programmes and the NTA’s Apprenticeship Programme Registration Criteria Guidelines has information pertinent to guiding stakeholders on the NTA’s expectations.
The NTA ascribes to the quality apprenticeship recommendations 2023 (No. 208) of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
Yes, several trade unions have been engaged in the stakeholder discussions with the NTA to guide on the development of a National Policy.
Benefits include:
- Formal recognition of the apprenticeship programme
- Registration means that the programme meets quality apprenticeship standards and aligns with industry requirements
- Registered apprenticeship may have access to expertise provided by the NTA
- The NTA provides a platform for the organisation to promote its apprenticeship programme/s
- By registering the apprenticeship programme organisations actively contribute to the growth and sustainability of their industry.
Yes, the NTA will take steps to monitor compliance with quality standards.
Organisations that have registered apprenticeships with the NTA must notify the NTA of any change in apprentice enrolment numbers. This would assist with information, necessary for the School to Work Apprenticeship Allowance claims.
Registration is considered official after the NTA’s audit and the issuance of the Certificate of Registration and signing of the Apprenticeship Agreement between the NTA and the company.
Yes, the NTA is the agency under the Ministry of Education responsible for National Apprenticeship in Trinidad & Tobago.
Yes, the apprenticeship programmes offered/supported by a public institution can register its programme/s with the NTA.
You can get certified in fields like carpentry, electrical work, cosmetology, cooking, and many more. Whether you’ve learned these skills on a job, through courses, or by self-teaching, PLAR can recognise them. There are currently no restrictions on online/digital learning components. However, the programme design must meet/satisfy the quality standards outlined in the NTA’s Apprenticeship Programme Registration Criteria & Guidelines.
The duration of the programme is reliant on the following:
- The competencies to be developed for the area of specialization.
- The recommended contact hours and varying range of experiences that provide sufficient exposure for competencies to be developed to a level of proficiency.
Note: An apprenticeship programme should be a minimum duration of one year to qualify for registration.
Upon receipt of a request for programme registration, Officers from the Apprenticeship department will provide guidance on closing identified gaps.
There are currently no restrictions on the target group enrolment and participation in apprenticeship. However, in the design of an apprenticeship programme, it is recommended that a company details the characteristics of its target group with the mandatory prerequisites for enrolment and participation.
The apprenticeship period is considered the total enrolment period/time to complete all phases of the apprenticeship programme. This includes all aspects the classroom and the on-the-job training phases required to graduate.
Yes, an employer/institution can include differently abled persons in the apprenticeship programme.
The NTA encourages inclusiveness in the development, design and resourcing of apprenticeship programmes.
A more inclusive approach to apprenticeship programs benefits industry by reducing discrimination, promoting social cohesion, and harnessing the skills and talents of a diverse population. It helps break down stereotypes and contributes to a more equitable and harmonious society. Differently abled persons bring unique perspectives and problem-solving abilities to the workplace, which can lead to increased innovation and creativity. Additionally, it can enhance the organization’s reputation and help meet diversity and inclusion goals.
The minimum time an apprenticeship programme must be offered to claim School to Work Apprenticeship Allowance is one year.
A company is not limited by the enrolment age of 25 years for an apprenticeship programme. However, the company can only submit claims for the School to Work Apprenticeship Allowance for apprentices in the age range of 16-25years.
Once the public sector institution’s apprenticeship programme is registered, then, only the host companies associated with the on-the-job component of the apprenticeship programme, is allowed to claim for the apprenticeship allowance.
Yes. provided that each apprenticeship programme is registered with the NTA. Only then can the company providing the on-the-job training, submit claims for the School to Work Apprenticeship Allowance.
The allowance claim is only applicable for the period that the apprentice is within the age range stipulated by School to Work Apprenticeship Allowance. Therefore, the claim can be submitted for the number of months/periods that the apprentice was within the age of 16-25 years.
Companies that provide the on-the-job component/ training to apprentices are required to detail the terms of employment in the form of a written Apprenticeship Agreement. The terms outlined should reference the related policy for leave applications and contract termination.
Organisations are advised to manage the optimal number of apprentices they can onboard, to provide adequate supervision and mentorship, to allow apprentices to gain the experience and build the required competencies.
The minimum entrance age for an apprenticeship is 16 years. Consent from the legal parent/ guardian must be granted for the minor to begin engagement in the industry training component of the apprenticeship.
Companies are free to partner with a foreign accredited institution to provide certification for their apprentices. The organisation will be required to provide proof of partnership via an agreement/or any other legally binding document.
Yes, the School to Work Apprenticeship Allowance can be accessed by companies that partner with foreign institutions for certification, provided that the apprenticeship programme is registered with the NTA.
Yes, both the TTNVQ and CVQ qualifications can be used as the award for apprenticeship programmes.
The organisation can partner with any training institution that has industry recognised qualifications. These may include local and foreign based institutions with the appropriate approvals/accreditation.