School-based Traineeships & apprenticeships

Becoming a school-based trainee or apprentice will give you the opportunity to earn money while you’re still at school.

School-based trainees and apprentices allow high school students to work for an employer and train towards a recognised qualification, while completing their secondary schooling and studying for their Senior School Certificate. Students are paid while they learn workplace skills, gain confidence, and adapt to a work environment. It gives the student the opportunity to put skills learnt at school and the training organisation, into practice in a real work environment.

School-based traineeships or apprenticeships are generally for students in Years 10, 11 or 12. More than just a job, a school based traineeship or apprenticeship will provide students with practical and real-world experiences to work within the Early Education and Care Sector and provides students with the opportunity to:

Get a head start on your career
Learn practical skills that employers desire
Earn an income while you learn
Build your confidence and communication skills
End up with a nationally recognised qualification
Achieve credits towards your Senior Certificate of Education

Eligibility criteria

An Australian school based trainee or apprentice must:

Be a full time school student aged 15 years or older
Have the school’s agreement to undertake school-based training
Find an employer willing to train in their workplace
Have parent/guardian’s permission (if under the age of 18)

Delivery Method

SATs provides students with hands-on industry experience and combine study, work and training to provide students with a head start on their career. To do a school-based traineeship or apprenticeship you still need to be at school and you’ll need to work one day a week. Your school will work with you, your parents, your employer and your training provider to make sure your apprenticeship is a success.

There are some eligibility requirements that are specific to school-based trainees and apprentices.They attend school part of the week, do hands-on training in the workplace and some formal off-job learning through their training provider.

School requirements :

Students must gain support and approval from their school to undertake a traineeship or apprenticeship. Students continue to attend school as usual, however, some of their paid employment and/or training will become part of their school timetable. A traineeship or apprenticeship must impact on the student's school timetable to be considered school-based. 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 traineeship or apprenticeship will impact the school timetable. The school has a role in providing support to the student throughout the traineeship or apprenticeship.

Work requirements :

Students enter a training contract with an employer. The training contract legally binds the employer and the student for the duration of the traineeship or apprenticeship. The number of hours an apprentice or trainee needs to be employed per week differs between states and territories based on their legislation but typically involves one day a week in a workplace. Australian school-based trainees and apprentices will need to negotiate time-release from their school subjects to attend work and training, arranging to catch up on any school material they miss at a later date.

What can I study with ACCCO?

CHC30113 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

ACCCO’s Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care program prepares students interested in working with children under 5 for employment in the Early Education Sector such as in childcare, long day care, family day care, kindergartens. Students achieve skills planning and delivering educational programs that focus on supporting children's wellbeing, learning and development. It is the minimum qualification to gain employment in ACECQA approved early childhood services and often the qualification studied for those wanting to begin their career in early childhood education.

Graduates will be able to use their Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

as an entry level qualification into the Education and Care Industy (e.g. assistant educator in long day care, child care centres, Kindergarten or preschool program, occasional care, Family Day Care Educator);
to pursue further tertiary pathways (e.g. Diploma or Bachelor of Education); and
to improve their chances of gaining tertiary entrance

Qualification:	CHC30113 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
Duration:	1 to 2 years
Work Hours:	The student will be given time of school for work typically, one day per week
Commencement:	Minimum of 15 years of age
Employment Opportunities:	Assistant Educator in Long Day Care • Child Care Centres • Kindergarten or Preschool Program • Occasional Care • Family Day Care

CHC30213 Certificate III In Education Support

Education Support qualifications will qualify you to work as a teacher's aide or in after-hours school care. The Certificate III in Education Support is an ideal qualification for people seeking employment in education roles which provides assistance and support to qualified Educators and Teachers. It is a versatile qualification leading the graduate to work in a range of diverse education environments including schools, kindergartens, preschools, early childhood, school age care or other education environment in entry level positions.

Qualification:	CHC30213 Certificate III In Education Support
Duration:	1 to 2 years
Work Hours:	The student will be given time of school for work typically, one day per week
Commencement:	Minimum of 15 years of age
Employment Opportunities:	Teacher Aide in schools, preschools/kindergartens • Education Support staff • Education Assistant (special needs, language/literacy, cultural support • School Age Care Assistant Educator (vacation care, OSHC, Kindergarten) • Home tutor

What are the costs involved?

Students undertaking a nationally-recognised qualification at as part of their senior studies may be eligible for substantially reduced or, in some cases, no tuition fees at all in some State / Territories. Please contact ACCCO for further information relating to fees.

Fees & Funding

What happens when you finish school but not your training?

Some students complete their traineeship or apprenticeship while at school. Some school-based trainees and apprentices however will finish school without having completed their training requirements. To complete your qualification you’ll need to convert your working arrangements to either a full-time or a part-time level.

Work with an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) provider

One of the roles of the Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) provider is to organise the signing of a training contract and to provide accurate information with regards to employer allowances and incentives. Please contact an AASN provider of your choice to discuss your situation in detail or to determine if you are eligible for an apprenticeship or traineeship

How do I get started?

If you are interested in starting a School-based Traineeship or Apprenticeship, it’s important to speak to the relevant teacher, Careers Advisor, or Career Counsellor at your school as soon as possible to find out the opportunities available in your district and how to access them.

Note: you will require the consent of a parent or legal guardian and your school to participate in an Australian School-based traineeship or apprenticeship.

Step 1. Find an Employer

Before entering into an apprenticeship, the student must find an employer willing to take them on as a trainee or apprentice. You and your employer will need to sign a formal training contract.

You can find an employer by:

Search job websites such as seek.com and newspaper advertisements
Talk to early childhood services in your local area
asking your friends, family and others in your community about what might be available
talk to an Apprenticeship Network Provider as they may be able to link you with potential employers

Step 2. Commence Employment

Once the student commences employment, you will need to fill out a trainee/sign up request form and return to apprenticeships@accco.com.au.

Step 3. Choose an Apprenticeship Network Provider

Your Apprenticeship Network Provider will help you sign a training contract with your employer. They will work with you and your employer to identify the training and support you need. The training contract may commence on the same day that employment commences or may commence at a later date.

Step 4. Commence Training

As part of your traineeship you will undertake a nationally recognised qualification with ACCCO who will provide the training for the Australian Trainee.

Where can I find more information?

Additional information can be found in the below links:

Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN)
https://www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au/school-based-apprenticeships

Why choose ACCCO for education and training?

Standing out from other training providers, ACCCO is regarded for the valuable face to face and on the job training that students receive throughout their course. With over 24 years’ experience, ACCCO has established strong relationships with schools and maintains close links to industry enabling us to deliver in-demand skills and up-to-date and relevant training.

ACCCO graduates have an outstanding reputation in the community due to their excellent education and skills. Students also benefit directly from the fact that ACCCO specialises in Early Childhood Education and Care qualifications and the high degree of industry engagement and connection that ACCCO offers graduates when seeking employment. Education and Care services actively seek out ACCCO graduates because of their high quality training, with employers recognising the exemplary skills and practices from the students who have trained with ACCCO.

Industry leaders specialising in Education and Care qualifications
Well-established training college with over 24 years experience
Highly qualified Trainer Assessors
Employers actively seek out ACCCO graduates
Individual mentoring and support for students
Ongoing professional development opportunities
Australia wide training delivery

School-based Apprenticeships and Traineeships