School Based Australian Apprenticeships

What is an SBAA?

SBAA's are work based programs for students which combines paid part-time work and formal industry related training whilst they are completing a senior secondary certificate. Although they vary from one industry to another, a typical SBAA will involve:

Attending a Secondary School - Completing VCE/VCAL subjects.

Paid Part-time work with an employer - The time students spend in work for an SBAA may vary from one industry to another but generally an SBAA will work on average 10- 15 hours per week over the term of the Training Contract. The SBAA will be paid in accordance with the industry's National Training Wage Award.

A Training Contract - The Training Contract is signed by the employer and student and is endorsed by the school. The Training Contract, which is linked to an industrial award or contract, validates the SBAA arrangement.

Attending a TAFE or other Registered Training Organisation (RTO) - SBAA will be required to undertake industry training, such as Certificate II or Certificate III, which is delivered and monitored by an RTO. The RTO will assess the SBAA against competencies from the training package.
The formal industry component of the SBAA may provide VCE or VCAL credits.

Types of Industries Eligible for SBAA

- Agriculture
- Automotive
- Building & Construction
- Business
- Community Services
- Engineering
- Food Processing
- Horticulture
- Hospitality & Tourism
- Hairdressing
- Information Technology
- Retail
- Sport and Recreation
- Transport & Storage

Other SBAA's are available, but need to be negotiated with the Australian Apprenticeships Centre and the school.

What are the Incentives?

These incentives are designed particularly to support employers who provide ongoing employment opportunities for SBAA, assisting them to make a smooth transition from school to work. Employers may be eligible for an additional commencement incentive for employing a New Apprentice in an endorsed School Based Australian Apprenticeship at Certificate II to IV level; and a further incentives payment for continuing to employ the young person after the student has completed year 12.

Benefits of Employing an SBAA

Employers are able to:

- Have a direct say in the types of training programs being used
- Employ students who have received industry specific training suited to their specific enterprises
- Pay wages only for the time the student is at work
- Train students in the skills of the particular business
- Employ people entering the workforce with work skills

How to employ an SBAA

An employer can employ an SBAA directly or through a Group Training Company, which will act as the formal employer and arrange paperwork.

The student and employer must enter into a legally binding Training Contract.

The employer and new apprentice must select a Registered Training Organisation and enrol the student in an agreed training program.

The SBAA, employer, RTO and school should liaise at regular intervals to monitor student progress, with the RTO recording competencies as they are assessed.