Empower Your Students with School-Based Apprenticeships

A group of students in school uniforms walking in front of a building

Empower your students to kickstart their careers while still in school. A School-Based Apprenticeship and Traineeship (SBAT) allows them to combine education with real workplace experience, earning as they learn and gaining confidence as they work towards getting qualified in their chosen field. These are also known as Australian School Based Apprenticeships (ASbA).

Register your interest

What are apprenticeships and traineeships?

Apprenticeships and traineeships combine hands-on workplace experience with Vocational Education and Training (VET) through Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), such as TAFE.

Apprenticeships

Usually take between three and four years
Require formal classroom study (usually two to three days a week)
Can lead to a job in trades such as building and construction, commercial cookery, automotive, engineering, manufacturing, electrical, plumbing, and lots more!

Traineeships

Generally take between one and two years
Involve full or part-time study (depending on the employer), including work experience and opportunities to build a professional network
Can lead to jobs in service industries such as business administration, retail, community health, childcare, hair and beauty, financial services, and lots more!

School-based apprenticeships

Do you have students that are wanting to kickstart their career while still in school? An SBAT lets them earn while they learn by mixing time at school with real, paid work experience.

There are several reasons to consider an SBAT:

Getting a head start towards a dream career instead of waiting until after school
Are ideally suited to students who are hands-on learners
The ability to earn money while learning valuable skills
Getting qualified early before the bulk of school leavers enter the job market
Making contact with potential employers and other connections that may help land a job later

Completing an SBAT can boost your students’ skills and confidence early on, making it easier for them to secure a job once they leave school. Along with their secondary school qualification, SBATs work towards gaining a nationally-recognised qualification at a Certificate I, II, III or IV, Diploma or Advanced Diploma level.

SBAT statistics

Busting some apprenticeship myths

Apprenticeships are a plan ’B’ if you don’t get into university.

False! Apprenticeships and traineeships lead to many of the same careers as university courses, and are much better for those who prefer hands-on learning.

VET pathways don't pay very well.

False! Research by Skilling Australia has found the average VET graduate wage is higher than someone graduating with a Bachelor’s degree.

My parents went to university so I should too.

These days, many of the most in-demand occupations require a VET qualification

Apprenticeships are just for tradies.

False! Chefs, truck drivers and child-care workers are among the most in-demand occupations, and all of them require a VET pathway.

Women aren’t suited to a trade.

False! Female representation in trades has grown to 16% with women, with employers coming to understand what valuable skills, perspectives and diversity they bring to lots of different workplaces.

Booking a school visit

If you’d like to provide your students with the opportunities they deserve, MEGT is here to support with tailored workshops, one-on-one consultations, and in-depth information sessions designed to meet the needs of your students.

Our experienced MEGT career consultants can visit your school, and tailor a session to the meet the exact needs of your students.

Topics covered include:

Information about apprenticeships and traineeships
How SBATs work
Career pathways for students and school leavers
Insights about the current labour market
How to find a work placement or job
How to perform well in job interviews
How to prepare a cover letter and resume
Employer expectations and how to meet them

When you book a school visit, your students and their parents can also book a one-on-one session with a career consultant. These follow-up sessions can be over the phone or in person.

If you’re an educator or careers advisor and would like further information about SBATs, call 13 6348 or email acpinfo@megt.com.au.

If you’d like MEGT to visit your school, please submit your details on the expression of interest form.

Submit your details

Stories from real apprentices and trainees

Ky, VIC

Following his school-based apprenticeship, Ky began his electrical apprenticeship as soon as he finished school. “I definitely thought about uni but I found this way would give me a head start. I’ve loved working, and the fact that no two days are the same.”

Ky screwing light switch into wall — Electrical apprentice Ky on the tools

Emily, VIC

Emily began her electrical apprentice with Goldwind, servicing and maintaining wind turbines on the Stockyard Hill Wind Farm. “I knew university wasn’t for me, but it wasn’t until I met my partner and started helping him outside that I realised it didn’t feel like work! So, I got a job at the wind farm, and I love it”