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South West TAFE VET DSS

School-based apprenticeships & traineeships

You can start an apprenticeship or traineeship while you’re still at school. This is called a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship. A SWTAFE apprenticeship or traineeship is a partnership between you, your employer, your school, and SWTAFE.

You’ll gain real workplace skills with your employer, receive accredited vocational training through SWTAFE, and continue secondary school to finish your VCE Vocational Major.

Why choose a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship?

Combine your VCE VM with on-the-job training in a supportive environment.

  • Gain valuable work skills and experience.
  • Earn while you learn and get paid to develop your skills.
  • Develop nationally recognised skills in high-demand areas.
  • Get a head start in your career.
  • Use your studies as a pathway or to gain credit towards further study.

Who can complete a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship?

Anyone who is:

  • a secondary school student in Year 10, 11 or 12,
  • enrolled in the VCE Vocational Major, 
  • And at least 15 years of age

How does it fit in with school studies?

On average, one day a week is spent on the job with your employer, plus some of the school holidays. For the rest of the school week, you complete the South West TAFE component of your training as well as your other VCE VM subjects. It takes from one to three years to complete.

As a school-based apprentice, you undertake the first stage of your formal or off-the-job apprenticeship training at school. Then you may jump into full-time employment as a second-year apprentice if you completed the training program while at school.

Can a VET DSS program and a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship work together?

You can combine a VET DSS course with a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship, but they must be across different areas. For example, you can undertake a school-based automotive apprenticeship and an agriculture VET DSS program.

SWTAFE offers school-based apprenticeships and traineeships in:

  • Agriculture
  • Automotive
  • Bakery
  • Beauty Services
  • Business
  • Cabinet Making
  • Carpentry
  • Community Services
  • Early Childhood Education & Care
  • Electrotechnology
  • Engineering
  • Hairdressing
  • Horticulture
  • Make-up
  • Meat Processing
  • Plumbing