What is a School-based Apprenticeships or Traineeship?
A traineeship or apprenticeship commences while you are at school, usually in Year 10, 11 or 12, and compliments your senior schooling. SAT’s enable you to gain a vocational and technical qualification while still at school. It must impact on your school timetable for the programme to be considered school-based. Glasshouse Country Christian College schedules a release day one day per week for students to attend TAFE or the work place of their employer. This day is usually a Wednesday but other days may be negotiated as required.
Benefits to students who choose to undertake an apprenticeship or traineeship include gaining valuable work experience, earning an income for on-the-job training, increasing your knowledge and skills base for future employment when you leave school and obtaining a qualification that is recognised nationally and also counts towards your Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE).
Requirements and features of a School-based Traineeship or Apprenticeship are:
- Attendance at both school and work
- A training contract which links to an industrial award or agreement signed by the employer, trainee or apprentice and parent/guardian (if under 18 years)
- A nationally recognised vocational and technical qualification
- Wages paid for the time spent in the workplace (a minimum of 48 days per year)
- An Employment, Training and Education Schedule (ETES) completed and approved by the school and signed by the employer, SRTO, trainee/apprentice, guardian and principal.
How much time do I have to spend at work?
A minimum of 48 days per 12 month period must be worked. Most of these days will be made up using the 1 day per week release day offered by the College. Extra days can be made up on weekends or doing block work during school holidays if agreed to by both parties. All hours spent in the workplace must be paid and contribute to your 48 days. SATs do not accumulate holiday leave or sick leave.
Probationary period
All traineeships and apprenticeships have a probationary period of between 30 and 90 days. This is for both parties to ensure they have made the right choice. Students must use this time wisely as only during this probation period can either the apprentice or employer cancel the contract without the other party’s consent. After this time has elapsed both parties must mutually consent to the cancellation of the training contract.
Off-the-job training
The student and their employer will be asked to select a training provider. A Supervising Registered Training Organisation (SRTO) can either be a private or public (TAFE) provider. All parties negotiate the training plan of their choice to best meet their needs. All off-the-job training for a SAT is done in school hours or in the student’s personal time. The employer has no obligation to provide time in the workplace or paid study time for this training, however a representative from the SRTO may visit the workplace to assess the student in their working environment.
How do I become a School-based Trainee or Apprentice?
If you are interested in following a career path in the vocational area through a School-based Traineeship or Apprenticeship your first point of contact for information is Mrs. Joan Ferris or Mrs Sue Fraser.
Glasshouse Country Christian College requires you to fill in an application form. You can get the Application Pack which includes further information and FAQ’s, from the VETCoordinator. The Application form must be filled in and signed by both the student and parents and handed back to the VET Coordinator with an up-to-date resume. A digital copy of your resume is also required to be kept on file at the school so that we can apply for Traineeships or Apprenticeships on your behalf when they arise.
Completion
Most traineeships can be completed by students over a two year period while they are still at school. An apprenticeship will normally be completed after the student completes their schooling. If the student fails to complete the traineeship by the end of their senior schooling, their employer may continue to employ the student in their traineeship/apprenticeship and convert to either a part-time or full-time arrangement.
I have found an employer who is interested. What do I do now?
Well done! Come and see Mrs Ferris as soon as possible and she will contact the employer and set up the traineeship for you.
For more information or to make an appointment you can email Mrs Ferris at joan.ferris@gccc.qld.edu.au.
For more information visit the Apprenticeship Info website.