A school-based apprenticeship or traineeship (SBAT) gives students paid on-the-job training while they complete secondary school.

SBATs combine part-time employment with training toward a nationally recognised vocational education and training (VET) qualification. Students can receive credit for their SBAT towards the VCE, VCE Vocational Major or Victorian Pathways Certificate.

The SBAT student, their parent/carer and employer work together to ensure that the student can complete a training plan with a registered training organisation while attending school.

Sports Turf Management Apprentice - Angus Christensen

My first year as an apprentice in Sports Turf Management at Bendigo Golf Club has been a great opportunity to learn outside the classroom and gain real experience in an industry I’m interested in. One of the things I enjoy most is that the work is practical. I learn best through hands-on tasks, so being able to learn on the job and then connect that experience with my studies has suited me well. Working at a golf course has also shown me how much knowledge, planning, and teamwork go into presenting and maintaining quality turf. There is much more involved than simply mowing grass.

During my apprenticeship, I’ve started developing an understanding of workplace health and safety and the many skills involved in maintaining a golf course. My training will continue to build my knowledge in areas such as machinery operation and maintenance, irrigation and drainage, plant identification and nutrition, and controlling weeds and pests.

Starting an apprenticeship while still at school has meant adjusting to a workplace, listening to experienced people and taking responsibility for doing jobs properly and safely. It has helped me become more confident and given me a clearer idea of what working in the turf industry is really like.

I’m looking forward to building on what I’ve learned, taking on more responsibility as my skills develop and continuing my apprenticeship at Bendigo Golf Club.

Electrical Apprenticeship – Arkie Rooke

When Arkie started Year 11, he already knew that a traditional academic pathway wasn’t for him. He knew he wanted to work in a trade, so he took the initiative to organise work experience with a builder, a plumber and an electrician to see which direction felt right. It didn’t take long to work out that electrical work was the winner. He loved the immediate satisfaction of doing a bit of wiring and seeing the light come straight on.

Arkie now works two days a week with Adam Williams and the team at Electrician Man. Arkie’s parents have been incredibly impressed by the support, professionalism and genuine investment they have shown in him. The trades can be a pretty confronting environment, and Arkie has found himself working alongside adults in situations that are very different from school.

Adam and the team have been fantastic role models and have created an environment where Arkie feels comfortable, valued and part of the team. Arkie has completed his CMCB work experience weeks with Adam as well and regularly picks up extra days during school holidays or when he has a day off school. Adam’s also been flexible, working around Arkie’s family, sporting, and social commitments when needed.

The school-based apprenticeship has allowed Arkie’s independence to grow. He manages his own routine, gets himself up for very early starts and is often picked up by one of the team on their way to the job site.

Arkie’s days at work are varied. He might be roughing in a new build in town one day, working in a commercial building in Castlemaine the next or squeezing into a very old and dusty roof across town - a job he definitely does not enjoy, but gets done anyway. He’s also collected some entertaining stories along the way, including being offered jars of pickles by an elderly client and politely accepting a taste without screwing up his nose!

Arkie has qualified for a grant towards his tools, and Adam and the team have also kitted him out with branded shirts and hats. He seems far more comfortable in his tradie gear than he ever has in his school uniform. The early starts also mean early finishes, giving him plenty of time after work to go fishing, play a round of golf, head to the gym or kick the footy.

Academically, Arkie has never been one to produce outstanding school reports, but this year his results have been the best they have ever been. The improvement has been significant and reflects that Arkie has found a pathway that motivates him and gives him a sense of purpose.

“We’re incredibly proud of the way he’s embraced his SBAT and the maturity and independence he’s developed through the experience so far. Given how much he enjoys the work, we wouldn’t be surprised if he eventually has a business of his own. Arkie the Sparky!” Fiona Rooke

Apprentice Chef – Jake Mannix

Jake’s school-based apprenticeship as a chef with Ms Batterhams has been a fabulous experience for him. He has been able to mix school with his passion for being a chef, building confidence with both his technical and work skills. The blend of work and school keeps him motivated, especially in sharing his real-world experiences in the kitchen as part of his VCE Foods units.

His experiences have included learning a new menu, weddings, off-site catering, the Bendigo Cup - catering for over 400, and even cooking for his family and friends at the restaurant.

“It has been particularly rewarding to see the pride he takes in his work and the growth in his ability through some excellent mentoring. It’s very rewarding seeing Jake so engaged in his chosen vocation.” Kate Mannix