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School-based

What are school-based apprenticeships or traineeships?

School-based apprenticeships and traineeships allow high school students – typically years 11 and 12 – to work with an employer as paid employees while studying for their Senior Certificate.  At the same time, students undertake a nationally recognised training qualification with a Registered Training Organisation (RTO).

A school-based apprentice’s or trainee’s employment and/or training arrangements must impact on their school timetable for the program to be considered school-based.

What are the benefits of doing school-based apprenticeships or traineeships?

The benefits of doing a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship include:

• receiving both an education and a job;
• being a step ahead of the competition for jobs;
• learning the latest knowledge and skills;
• getting paid while you learn;
• working towards achieving a nationally recognised qualification;
• gaining hands-on experience in a real job;
• gaining the skills and experience to help you go on to tertiary study;
• experiencing a great way to move from school to work; and
• gaining a sense of achievement.

Doing school-based apprenticeships or traineeships is a great start to your career.

Students who do not complete their apprenticeship or traineeship while at school are required to convert to full-time or part-time arrangements when they finish their final day at school.  Once converted to full-time or part-time arrangements, appropriate award wages and conditions apply.

Unlike other apprentices and trainees, school-based participants are not paid for the time spent undertaking training delivered by the supervising RTO, and do not accrue entitlements to sick leave or recreation leave.
However, students are paid for the time spent working, including a loading to compensate for not receiving recreation and sick leave.

How to apply for MIGAS school-based apprenticeships or traineeships

Before choosing a school-based apprenticeship/traineeship, you should think about:

• The type of environment you would like to work in (for example, outdoors, in an office);
• The things that interest you;
• The types of school-based apprenticeships and traineeships available;
• The skills you would like to learn;
• The subjects you are studying at school that may complement your school-based qualification;
• Talking to any one you may know who works in the industry to find out the positives and negatives of the job;
• How and if the school-based apprenticeships/traineeships will affect your school timetable (you should check with the school’s Vocational Education Coordinator as each school may vary with their requirements);
• How will you get to work and training (if attending TAFE); and
• Whether you would be prepared to work weekends and school holidays.

It is important to have the support of your parent or guardian, and the school, to enter into school-based apprenticeships or traineeships.  Once you have thought about these questions, follow some of these simple steps:

1. Talk to the parents or guardians about your interest in becoming a school-based apprentice or trainee
2. Advise the School Career Counsellor, Guidance Officer or Vocational Education and Training Coordinator at the school about getting involved in a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship
3. Apply online at the MIGAS website, through your school, or call your nearest MIGAS branch
4. MIGAS will organise with your school a day and time for interview

It is important to note that some school-based apprenticeships or traineeships may require students to attend TAFE during school holidays or block training (varies from 3 weeks to 6 weeks full time) during school.  At the time of the interview, the students will be told what the training requirement will be for the position they have applied for.