Most of our training is delivered in the workplace. You train where you work — or where you want to work. We provide the framework, the logbook, and the sign-off process. You provide the commitment.

Here's how it works across our four delivery pathways:

Workplace Training & Traineeships

The standard Specialised model. A trainee works in a real workplace environment, building skills and completing logbook evidence under the supervision of an approved workplace mentor. Specialised assesses and approves the mentor, then equips them with the framework and tools to supervise and sign off on the trainee's practical work. Formal traineeship agreements are available — a structured arrangement between the employer, the trainee, and Specialised as the training provider.

School-Based Training

Most of our training pathways can be delivered through a school-based pathway, giving students the opportunity to work toward a nationally recognised qualification while completing their secondary education. The same mentor/supervisor model applies — the school or host workplace needs to be able to provide or source an approvable mentor, and appropriate equipment or work environment for the training pathway.

Printing and Graphic Arts is the exception — given the equipment specificity of this training pathway, school-based delivery is not currently offered. RPL is the primary pathway for candidates with existing printing industry experience.

Intensive Training Weeks

Where a trainee's circumstances require it, or where a qualification component benefits from concentrated delivery, Specialised can arrange intensive training weeks. These are structured blocks of face-to-face, hands-on training — useful for candidates who need to build specific skills quickly, or where access to a suitable workplace is limited.

Intensive delivery is available across all training pathways on request and is offered at an additional cost. It is most established within our Live Production and Creative Arts training pathway, where intensive delivery has been part of the model for some time. As our other training pathways grow, we expect demand for intensives to follow.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

If you've already got the skills — through work, life experience, or previous training — RPL lets you convert that experience into a formal qualification without repeating what you already know. Specialised assesses your existing skills and knowledge against the qualification requirements and issues a credential for what you can demonstrate.

RPL is available across all our training pathways. For candidates in the printing and graphic arts industry, RPL is the primary and most practical pathway to qualification.