School Based Apprenticeships

Why Choose a School-Based Apprenticeship or Traineeship

SATs give students the opportunity to:

• Earn money while they learn

• Get real-world experience in their chosen industry

• Gain a nationally recognised qualification

• Work toward their QCE with contributing studies

• Develop confidence and job-ready skills

• Build connections with future employers

A SAT is an ideal pathway for young people who want to combine education with practical workplace learning.

How School-Based Apprenticeships Work

SATs combine school, paid work, and industry training. To begin a SAT, students must meet specific eligibility requirements and secure the approval of their school.

1. School Requirements

Students must have support and approval from their school before starting a SAT.

• Students continue attending school as normal.

• Part of their paid work and/or training time is built into their school timetable.

• For an apprenticeship or traineeship to be considered “school-based”, it must impact the student’s school timetable.

• A schedule is agreed upon between the student, school, employer, parent/guardian, and training organisation. This outlines exactly when the student attends school, work, and training.

Schools also play an important role in supporting students throughout the program.

2. Work Requirements

Students enter into a formal training contract with their employer. This contract outlines the obligations of both the student and employer.

Employers may include:

• A direct employer

• A Group Training Organisation (GTO)

• A labour-hire or principal employer organisation

Paid Employment Requirements

Employers must provide school-based apprentices and trainees with:

• Minimum 375 hours (50 days) of paid work each 12-month period

• Electrotechnology apprentices require 600 hours (80 days)

• Students must average at least 7.5 hours of work per week over each 3-month period

To complete a school-based traineeship, students must meet the required paid-employment thresholds for their qualification. Specific completion requirements are available via the Queensland Training Information Service (QTIS).

3. Training Requirements

Students and employers choose a Supervising Registered Training Organisation (SRTO) – such as Civil Safety – to deliver the training and assessments.

The SRTO will:

• Develop a training plan with all parties

• Outline what training is required and how it will be delivered

• Deliver structured training either on-the-job, online, or off-the-job

• Record and report the student’s progress

Training completed during the SAT contributes to the student’s QCE and appears in their learning account.

There are limits on the amount of off-the-job training a school-based apprentice can complete while still at school.

Important Funding Note

Apprentices and trainees can only access up to two government-funded contributions in their lifetime. Students and parents should carefully consider whether the SAT aligns with the student’s chosen career path, as it may impact future funding eligibility.

Students continue to attend school as usual, however, some of their paid employment and/or training will become part of their school timetable. A SAT must impact on the student’s school timetable to be considered school-based. The ATIS-048 Determining the impact on the school timetable information sheet provides further details.

The school, student, their parent/guardian, employer and training organisation will negotiate a schedule which outlines when the student is at school, work and training. This schedule must indicate exactly how the SAT will impact the school timetable.

The school has a role in providing support to the student throughout the SAT.

Finishing School & What Happens Next

Most school-based trainees can finish their traineeship while still enrolled at school. However, it is less common for school-based apprentices to complete their full apprenticeship before graduating.

At the end of Year 12:

• If the student has not completed the apprenticeship, the training contract is automatically converted to full-time by the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training (DESBT).

• Students who prefer to continue as part-time can advise the department before the automatic conversion occurs.

This ensures a smooth transition from school-based learning into continued apprenticeship training after school.

Start Your School-Based Learning With Civil Safety

Civil Safety supports students, parents, schools, and employers throughout the entire SAT process. We help identify suitable qualifications, manage training plans, and deliver quality training that sets students up for success in their chosen industry.

Want to learn more or explore options?
Contact our team and we’ll help you get started – email info@civilsafety.edu.au or call us on 1300 CIVIL S.