FEATURE ARTICLE 1: AUSTRALIAN SCHOOL-BASED APPRENTICESHIPS
Most Australian secondary schools offer some vocational training in the senior years (Years 11 and 12) and increasingly, vocational pathways in schools are being promoted to young people as a career choice. There were 17,000 commencements in school-based apprenticeships in the 12 months ended 31 March 2007, an increase of 13% compared with the preceding 12 months. (End note 1)
An Australian School-based Apprenticeship, is a vocational pathway that enables a young person to obtain credit towards a nationally recognised vocational qualification, while completing their senior school certificate. A school-based apprenticeship allows academic study at school to be combined with vocational and technical education and training, and paid employment.
An Australian School-based Apprenticeship requires the:
- student to be enrolled in a senior secondary certificate under the relevant state or territory Education Act
- school or education provider at which the student is enrolled, to acknowledge and endorse the training plan/outline required by the training contract
- school-based apprenticeship or traineeship to be recognised on the senior secondary certificate.
As it generally takes longer than two years to complete a trade qualification (usually Certificate III or above), students are expected to complete their trade training as a full-time apprentice after they have finished their secondary studies. That training is undertaken with an employer in conjunction with a public or private registered training organisation.
End note
1. Australian vocational education and training statistics: Apprentices and trainees, March quarter 2007 - Summary, National Centre for Vocational Education Research
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