Search the VCAA website

•  
• Bulletins & Memos|
• Calendar|
• Excellence & Awards|
• School Administration

• Early Years
• VEYLDF 0-8 (Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework)
• Years Prep to 10
• NAPLAN (National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy)
• VELS (Victorian Essential Learning Standards)
• Senior Secondary
• VCE (Victorian Certificate of Education)
• VET (Vocational Education and Training)
• VCAL (Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning)

School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships

School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships are open to students 15 years of age or over who:

• are an Australian Citizen, or
• a permanent resident.

Note: Other visa categories may also be eligible. Please check with an Australian Apprenticeship Centre in your local area.

School Based Apprenticeships or Traineeships in Victoria involve the student undertaking the VCE or VCAL as well as being employed and trained under the following arrangements:

• VCE/VCAL studies are selected and undertaken by the student
• the student has paid employment under an industrial agreement that recognises School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships. In effect the employer will be either:
  • covered by an Award with suitable provisions;
  • party to a workplace agreement, including Individual Transitional Employment Agreements, Australian Workplace Agreements, collective agreements, or pre-reform certified agreements; or
  • covered by the minimum terms and conditions of Part 21 of the Workplace Relations Act.
• a Training Contract that includes the qualification and duration of training to be undertaken must be registered with Skills Victoria.
• a Training Plan must be signed with an RTO within 2 months of commencement of the School Based Apprenticeship and Traineeship.
• the school acknowledges and endorses the Training Plan by becoming a signatory to the Training Plan.
• a program leading to a nationally recognised qualification must be provided.
• the study, training and work commitments of the student form an integral part of that student’s school learning program and study timetable. (Note: this is a new requirement - refer to advice from DEECD)

Training and assessment are the responsibility of an RTO.

School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships in the following industry areas have been approved by industry bodies and the VCAA for students undertaking VCE:

• Agriculture
• Automotive
• Business
• Community Services
• Engineering
• Food Processing (Wine)
• Horticulture
• Hospitality (Operations)
• Information Technology
• Retail
• Sport and Recreation

School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships are also available in any other industry area for which Skills Victoria have approved funding. School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships in other approved industry areas, may also contribute to the VCE through Block Credit Recognition.

---

 

Part-time apprenticeships and traineeships

Students who undertake an apprenticeship or traineeship that is not integrated into their learning program and study timetable will be undertaking part-time apprenticeships or traineeships. This type of arrangement will still provide credit for VCE or VCAL if it is recorded on VASS.

---

 

 

Further Information

School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships - FAQs including time commitment, administrative details and the role of schools.

Where To Now? is an online guide to the VCE, VCAL and Apprenticeships and Traineeships.

Australian Apprenticeship Centres are contracted by the Australian Government to provide one-stop shops for those seeking to hire Australian Apprentices or to take up an Australian Apprenticeship as a career path. Locate your local Apprenticeship Centre. 

Apprenticeship Field Officers provide support and advice for apprentices, employers, and training providers including investigating disputes. Locate a local Apprenticeship Field Officer.

 

 

 

Back to Top