An apprenticeship or traineeship enables you to become qualified in the industry you want to work in while gaining valuable work experience.

School-based apprenticeships and traineeships

A school-based apprenticeship or traineeship (SBAT) is an apprenticeship or traineeship undertaken by a student enrolled in a senior secondary program (VCE or VCAL).

Regular school attendance is combined with at least one timetabled day per week spent on the job or in training during the normal school week.

An SBAT combines part-time, practical experience in the workplace with recognised, structured training from a Registered Training Organisation.

Please note, SBATs must be endorsed by your school and meet the guidelines published by the Department of Education and Training.

To view the SBAT guide, visit the Department of Education and Training.

SBATs also attract Victorian Skills First funding. To find out more about subsidised courses, visit the Department of Education and Training – Skills First.

Part-time apprenticeships and traineeships

An apprenticeship or traineeship is considered part-time if it is not integrated into your school timetable.

While part-time apprenticeships do not require your school's endorsement, they are still eligible for credit into the VCE or VCAL if they are recorded on the Victorian Assessment Software System (VASS).

Note: There is no government funding provided to the Registered Training Organisation, either through Victorian Skills First or through school funding, to subsidise training associated with part-time apprenticeships and traineeships.

For information on subsidised courses, visit the Department of Education and Training – Skills First.

Structured workplace learning recognition

Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) recognition provides the formal framework and processes to enable students to integrate their on-the-job experience and learning in a workplace with nationally recognised VET undertaken as part of either the VCE or the VCAL. SWL recognition is available for students undertaking a SBAT.   

In order to receive VCE or VCAL credit students need to maintain and complete their Workplace Learning Record (WLR).

The WLR for SBATs is available here:

SBAT Workplace Learning Record (published August 2019)

The SWL assessment record, to be filled out and signed by the assessor or teacher, is available here:

SWL recognition assessment record (published August 2019)