School-based Apprenticeship and Traineeship (SBAT)
SBATs are a popular option for students looking to get an earlier head start into their choice of career.
A SBAT combines part-time work, structured training with a registered training organisation (RTO) and school studies. This program may give students credit towards their Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL).
This means that graduates can transition straight into full-time employment as a second year apprentice or trainee as soon as they complete their VCE or VCAL!
Who can apply?
Students who are above 15 years or age and enrolled in a senior secondary certificate (VCE or VCAL) can apply. Students should be an Australian Citizen or permanent resident.
How does the SBAT work?
The student is released from the weekly school timetable to attend the training organisation and/or workplace during the normal school week. The SBAT is in effect integrated within the student's certificate program.
What is the time commitment for a student undertaking a SBAT?
From 2009, the minimum number of employment and training hours required for a School Based Apprenticeship and Traineeship is an average of 13 hours per week, over two years.
This will comprise at least seven hours of employment and six hours of training per week which may be averaged over three periods of four months in each year of the program. Training should be averaged over three periods of four months in each year of the training contract.
Some students will be released for blocks of training; some will spend more than two days per week in the workplace in paid employment. Whatever arrangement is negotiated by the employer, registered training organisation and student/school, the student will be in employment and/or structured training as an apprentice or trainee for a minimum of one day per school week.
To apply
- Look for apprenticeship or traineeship vacancies in your chosen industry. You can do this by approaching an employer directly, contacting a Group Training Organisation (GTO) or speaking to your school's career advisor who will contact your local Workplace Learning Coordinator for a huge variety of opportunities.
- After securing an employer, the student (and parent/guardian, if under 18 years) will sign a training contract with an Australian Apprenticeship Centre (AAC).
- A training plan will then be negotiated with your school and Kangan Institute (as the registered training organisation).
Credit in the VCE
Credit will be dependent upon the amount of training undertaken based on nominal hours.
Visit the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority website for more information or contact us.
