In 2024, our research revealed a lack of Earn While You Learn (EWYL) models in the care and support sectors which exacerbates workforce shortages and creates barriers to attracting and retaining students due to unpaid mandatory placements.
Structural barriers to setting up EWYL models are also having an effect, especially due to the funding of aged care and disability services and the highly casual nature of the workforce,
Our project team will review and analyse various EWYL models outlined in government reports and academic research, including apprenticeships and traineeships.
We will map out systems to identify key actors and drivers across all care and support sectors and develop an EWYL taxonomy to categorise models and features, highlighting similarities and differences. These items will be socialised and refined with internal and external stakeholders.
Fact sheet
Background Paper
This research paper is a comprehensive analysis of Earn While You Learn (EWYL) models across the Aged Care and Disability Support, Children's Education and Care, Health, Human (Community) Services and Sport and Recreation sectors, as well as Business, Construction, Hospitality and Retail. It includes a global review of care and support economy initiatives.
Drawing on a systematic literature review and stakeholder insights gained from the Workforce Plan 2024 research, the paper evaluates the effectiveness, challenges, and opportunities of various EWYL approaches, including apprenticeships, traineeships, cadetships, paid placements and grow-your-own initiatives. It identifies key gaps and opportunities that will be examined during the next phases of the project.
Read the Background Paper
Summary Paper
This document summarises the background paper and defines the scope of our research. It outlines various EWYL forms in Australia and introduces a practical framework for categorising different models. Focusing on models across hospitality, retail, business, and construction, it compares commencement and completion rates with those in care and support sectors and highlights where lessons from other industries could potentially unlock new opportunities.
Read the Summary Paper
Employer Traineeship/Apprenticeship Survey
We invite employers across the Aged Care and Disability Support, Children's Education and Care, Health, Human (Community) Services and Sport and Recreation sectors, as well as Business, Construction, Hospitality and Retail to take our 10 minute survey and contribute to shaping strategies that strengthen EWYL models and improve outcomes for students.
All answers are anonymous and used for research purposes only. All personal information will be carefully stored and managed according to our strict privacy policy.
Please answer all the survey questions about trainees or apprentices for all EWYL programs your organisation operates. The survey will be open until Thursday 30 April 2026.
Start survey
RTO/GTO/TAFE Traineeship/Apprenticeship Survey
We invite registered training organisations, group training organisations and TAFEs delivering care and support, business, construction, hospitality and retail courses to take our 10 minute survey and contribute to shaping strategies that strengthen EWYL models and improve outcomes for students.
All answers are anonymous and used for research purposes only. All personal information will be carefully stored and managed according to our strict privacy policy.
Please answer all the survey questions about trainees or apprentices for all EWYL programs your organisation delivers. The survey will be open until Thursday 30 April 2026.
Start survey
Student Traineeship/Apprenticeship Survey
We invite all students who are doing or have done a traineeship or apprenticeship in the care and support sectors, Aged Care and Disability Support, Children's Education and Care, Health, Human (Community) Services and Sport and Recreation, as well as Business, Construction, Hospitality and Retail sectors to take our 7 minute survey and contribute to shaping strategies that strengthen EWYL models and improve outcomes for students.
All answers are anonymous and used for research purposes only. All personal information will be carefully stored and managed according to our strict privacy policy.
Please answer all the survey questions about traineeships or apprenticeships you are doing or have done. The survey will be open until Thursday 30 April 2026
Start survey
Consultations
Between Tuesday 7 October and Tuesday 28 October 2025, we held in person workshops in Brisbane, Darwin, Adelaide, Melbourne, Canberra, Hobart, Sydney and Perth, and 2 online workshops. We had a really rewarding time connecting with registered training organisations, industry bodies, unions, employers, educational experts, subject matter experts and other relevant stakeholders discussing:
- types of EWYL models being used in the sector
- success rates and features of different promising models, and challenges associated with scaling out quality apprenticeships, traineeships, cadetships, paid placements, and grow-your-own initiatives across care and support sectors
- effective strategies that have been implemented to drive commencements and completions in these promising models.
Thank you to everyone who attended and provided your invaluable input.
This snapshot report provides a high-level overview of what we learned through stakeholder consultations during Phase 2 of the project research examining promising earn while you learn (EWYL) models across the care and support sectors.
The report shows what is working well, emerging challenges and areas requiring further attention in the EWYL design and delivery. It offers high-level stakeholder perspectives on the current EWYL landscape, highlighting promising models, common features and systemic issues that keep recurring.
Drawing on consultations with over 192 stakeholders from registered training organisations (RTOs), service providers, unions and government across 8 states and territories in Australia, the report examines the types of EWYL models currently being used, workforce and learner outcomes they seek to address, and the conditions that enable or constrain their effectiveness.
The report focuses on themes such as industry co-design, learner supports, supervision and coaching capacity, financial and regulatory settings, and pathways beyond completion. It also identifies cross-sector considerations and risks that may affect scalability, providing a foundation to inform deeper analysis and policy development.
Read the snapshot report
Report Findings
- EWYL models are most effective when they are sustainably funded, co-designed and combine industry-led training and structured pathways that lead to clear career outcomes. Supervisor, mentor and/or coach support, flexible delivery and incentives for learners and employers are also critically important.
- A promising EWYL model should include:
- a design reflecting end-to-end lifecycle systems (clear entry, screening, informed onboarding through to post-completion employment, longitudinal tracking and ongoing professional development)
- demonstrated industry buy-in with links to career progression
- a dedicated time for trainee learning, including assigning the trainee as an additional staff member to safeguard their learning time (protected learning)
- industry-current educators and supported workplace mentors
- financial stability that does not compromise learning integrity
- access to pastoral care and wellbeing supports.
- Barriers to scaling EWYL models are primarily systemic. Funding limitations are consistently identified as the most significant constraint, affecting employer willingness to host trainees and learner participation. Other barriers include insufficient employer engagement frameworks, differences in state/territory requirements and limited cross-collaboration across the entire apprenticeship ecosystem.
Detailed lifecycle features of a high-quality EWYL model
This detailed lifecycle visualises elements that define a promising EWYL model across the lifecycle of a traineeship, cadetship or apprenticeship. It illustrates the key components, enablers, and quality practices that support learner outcomes.
View detailed lifecycle