What is a School Based Apprenticeship or Traineeship (SBAT)?

Students can participate in the SBAT program during their school years 10 to 12, provided they are 15 years of age or over. A SBAT program requires that there be a minimum of 7 hours per week of employment and a minimum of 6 hours per week of structured training which may be averaged out over the 3 periods of 4 months in each year of the program.

Successful completion of a SBAT enables the student to achieve a nationally recognised qualification (usually Certificate II or III) that will also count as part of their Year 12 Certificate and a component of further industry training.

Although they vary from one industry to another, a typical SBAT will involve:

  • Attending a Secondary School – Completing VCE/VCAL subjects
  • Paid Part-time work with an employer – The time students spend in work for an SBAT may vary from one industry to another but generally a SBAT will work on average 10-15 hours per week over the term of the Training Contract. The SBAT will be paid in
    accordance with the industry’s National Training Wage Award.
  • A Training Contract – the Training Contract is signed by the employer and student and is endorsed by the school. The Training Contract, which is linked to an industrial award or contract, validates the SBAT arrangement.
  • Attending a TAFE or other Registered Training Organisation (RTO) – SBAT’s will be required to undertake industry training, such as Certificate II or Certificate III, which is delivered and monitored by an RTO. The RTO will assess the SBAT against competencies from the training package.

The formal industry component of the SBAT may provide VCE or VCAL credits.