School Based Apprenticeship and Traineeship (SBAT)

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

A SBAT offers students the option of combining their senior VCE VM or VCE studies with part-time employment and training.

For a SBAT to be registered it must

be under a training contract with an employer (the student becomes an employee of the company/business)
include paid work that is relevant to the qualification being undertaken
lead to a nationally recognised qualification (and at a level appropriate for the student) and
be integrated into a student’s career plan and study timetable and
be endorsed by SJC – to ensure the SBAT is in the best interest of the student, their studies and career pathway

*Training Contract – An agreement signed by the Employer and the apprentice or trainee (and a parent or guardian if applicable) specifying the type of apprenticeship or traineeship to be undertaken. It details the training obligations of Employers and apprentices or trainees. It contains details of the commencement date for training, the duration of the training and the workplace location at which the apprentice or trainee will receive practical experience. (Reference: Department of Education and Training – Guide to establish and deliver SBATs)

Who can undertake a SBAT?

SBATs at SJC are available to students who are enrolled into

Year 11 and Year 12 VCE VM
Year 12 VCE (must be approved by Head of Mt Sion Learning)

*Students must be an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident.

What are the benefits of a SBAT?

Undertaking a SBAT whilst completing your senior secondary certificate allows you to:

incorporate vocational training into your senior schooling
gain credit towards your VCE or VCE VM Certificate whilst following the career or study pathway of your choice
gain valuable skills, knowledge and on-the-job experience with industry professionals
get a head-start on your career
earn an income

How does a SBAT work?

To undertake a SBAT, a student must first have an employer offer a SBAT and be willing to employ and support the student under a SBAT arrangement. The employer and student must let SJC know that they wish to proceed with a SBAT and confirm if this can be endorsed/approved by the College.

If yes, the employer then arranges to contact an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network Provider (AASNP) to initiate to training contract process.

SJC can assist with this process and where possible, can arrange for the training contract sign up meeting to occur onsite at the College. During the meeting, the AASNP will discuss things like your contract duration, training provider you will attend and what you may be entitled to as a SBAT (e.g. Government incentives, financial entitlements or conditions under your employment award or registered agreement).

The employer, employee (student), parent or guardian completes the training contract. Signing of the contract legally commences the SBAT and once lodged and processed through the state training board (at times may take up to 4 – 6 weeks), allows the chosen VET provider to initiate the enrolment process and training.

For select industries, the Geelong region has SBAT opportunities that students can apply to undertake. These are most commonly School Based Traineeships that are delivered over a 12 month duration. Students must complete an additional application form to be considered for the below courses (which are subject to change).

SBATs available for application may include

Industry	Course
Business	Certificate II in Workplace Skills Certificate III in Business Offers with Banking and Finance and Corporate Health Sector (ATSI applicants)
Education	Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
Health and Community	Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance Certificate III in Community Services Certificate III in Health Services Assistance
Horticulture	Certificate II in Horticulture (Disabled Australian Apprentice Wage Support (DAAWS) applicants) Certificate III in Horticulture
Hospitality	Certificate II in Baking (Disabled Australian Apprentice Wage Support (DAAWS) applicants) Certificate II in Food Processing (Baking Assistant) Certificate III in Food Processing (Baking) Certificate III in Food Processing (Retail) Certificate III in Hospitality
Warehousing and Logistics	Certificate II or III in Supply Chain Operations (Disabled Australian Apprentice Wage Support (DAAWS) applicants)

How often does a SBAT attend work and training?

SBAT students must undertake at least seven hours of employment and six hours of training a week (during normal school hours), which can be averaged over three periods of four months in each year of the course and training contract.

SBATs are generally scheduled to allow students to attend one afternoon or full day per week at the VET Provider and one day in the workplace. Whilst the training and employment days are most commonly a Wednesday and Friday, days may vary based on course and training provider.
Some courses may need more time allocated than the above (for example a full block week every 2 – 3 months) and will need to be discussed further with the VET Coordinator.

Fees and charges

There are additional fees applicable to undertaking a SBAT. These are external to the College and determined by and payable to the training provider.

Fees will vary dependent on the Training Provider, course and student eligibility criteria.

*Pending the award or registered agreement a SBAT is employed under, there may be entitlements regarding reimbursements of training costs, fees and textbooks. Please refer to the Fair Work website for further information – www.fairwork.gov.au

How does a SBAT contribute to VCE or VCE VM?

A SBAT can contribute to senior VCE studies and to the VCE VM. For students undertaking a qualification at Certificate II level or above, credit will accrue on the basis of one VCE unit / VCE VM credit unit for each 90 hours of completed Units of Competency (UOCs).

Please note that in most cases, a SBAT student will be enrolled into UOCs with a minimum total of 180 nominal hours per year.

*Nominal hours – The recommended supervised and non-supervised hours required to sufficiently cover the content of each unit. This may include face to face delivery, online learning, private study / assignment work or industry placement.

For VCE students: A student who is enrolled into and successfully completes a course and units of competency totalling a minimum 360 nominal hours, may be eligible for a units 1 – 4 sequence. This is most commonly achieved over a two-year duration (an enrolment of units with a minimum 180 nominal hours each year).

Students who successfully receive a Units 3 and 4 sequence through a SBAT course, may be eligible for a fifth or sixth study increment (10% of your fourth study in the primary four scaled studies) towards your ATAR.

Recognition of Prior Training

A student who has successfully completed or moves from a VET program to an SBAT program may be eligible for credit transfer (CT) for any UOCs completed as part of a previous VET qualification/s.

A student will not receive any additional credit towards their VCE or VCE VM for UOCs that are credited towards their SBAT qualification from a previous VET qualification/s.

Who can I see about getting a SBAT?

To explore the possibility of securing a school based apprenticeship or traineeship, students are encouraged to consider the following:

Make a time to meet with the Careers Coordinator to discuss if a SBAT could help you achieve your career goals and if this is something you can integrate into your schooling.
Would you be able to handle work, training and other study at this time in your senior secondary program?
Would a SBAT place additional pressure on your VCE or VCE VM program?
Do you have sporting commitments or are wanting to play for SJC? If yes, are you prepared to make attendance at your SBAT a priority? This may mean negotiating a plan with your Training Provider and Employer regarding the games you are able to play.
If you don’t yet have your license, do you have reliable transport to get to work and training?
Contact the VET Coordinator if you need additional information regarding a SBAT and start the conversation with your family.
Research! How are you going to find a suitable employer and what could you do to increase the possibility of securing a SBAT? Do you have any contacts in your preferred industry, friends or relatives that could help? What employers are within your area or are you prepared to travel if needed? And what can be done to update or improve your resume?

Apprenticeship Support Network Providers and Group Training Providers within the Geelong region include MEGT, Apprenticeship Support Australia, Busy at Work, APN, Gforce and Victorian Group Training and Westvic Staffing Solutions. Students are also encouraged to directly register their details with the above mentioned providers. Contact information can be provided by the VET Coordinator.

SBAT and full time apprenticeship opportunities provided to the College will be communicated to students via email and the SJC careers website.