School-Based Apprenticeships & Traineeships (SBATs)
Learn. Work. Earn
A School-Based Apprenticeship or Traineeship (SBAT) allows students to combine secondary school, nationally recognised training and paid employment.
Students develop practical skills with an employer while working towards a vocational qualification and continuing their senior secondary studies.
SBATs allow students to work, train and study at the same time.
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want to stay at school to complete VCE, VCE VM, or VPC but are ready to gain experience in a real workplace
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have a strong interest in a particular industry
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want to work toward a qualification through a VET Course
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enjoy practical learning
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want to begin developing industry skills while still at school
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are prepared to balance school, training and employment.
An SBAT could be right for you, if you...
A school-based apprenticeship or traineeship (SBAT) gives a student paid on-the-job training while they complete secondary school.
SBATs combine part-time employment with training toward a nationally recognised vocational education and training (VET) qualification.
Students can receive credit for their SBAT towards the VCE, VCE Vocational Major or Victorian Pathways Certificate.
The SBAT student, their parent and employer sign a training contract, and the student completes a training plan with a registered training organisation.
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The student’s school must approve the SBAT, so the student can attend work and training during the school week.
To explore this pathway, students should speak with their school careers team.
​Government school students may be referred to the Head Start program, which supports students in Years 10–12 undertaking SBATs.
How does an SBAT work?
An SBAT pathway helps students gain real-world experience, develop employability skills, and work toward a qualification while still in school.