How do school-based apprenticeships and traineeships work?

Students in Year 10, 11 and 12 can combine regular studies with paid on-the-job training in a specific trade or area of construction through school-based apprenticeships and traineeships. You can gain practical skills, industry experience, and a nationally recognised qualification while completing your secondary education.

Steps to get a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship in Queensland:

Choose the trade or industry you are interested in doing and check if there are school-based apprenticeship or traineeship opportunities. Check if your school does the Construction Pathways Try’a Trade program – you can taste-test different trades to see what you’re interested in.

You’ll need to meet the eligibility requirements and seek approval from your school to do a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship. A chat with your school’s career counsellor or vocational education coordinator is the best place to start – they can talk you through the eligibility and enrolment process.

A legal agreement, known as a Training Contract, is set between you, the employer, and a registered training organisation (RTO). This sets everyone’s roles and responsibilities and the conditions for the apprenticeship or traineeship.

When your apprenticeship or traineeships starts, you will go to school part-time and work part-time with your employer on the days agreed in your contract. This way, you can complete your school studies, and gain practical experience in the workplace to work towards your qualifications.

You will do a combination of on-the-job training and off-the-job training with your RTO. The RTO delivers the structured training needed to achieve the apprenticeship/traineeship qualification. You’ll also need to complete on-the-job assessments and have your employer sign-off on these.

When you’ve passed your assessments, you will get a nationally recognised qualification for the trade or industry you have trained in.

It’s important to note that the specific processes and requirements for school-based apprenticeships and traineeships in Queensland may vary depending on the industry, individual schools, and RTOs. Your school will be able to guide you through this and give you the correct information.