School-based apprenticeships and traineeships
School-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SBATs) are a great way for students to set themselves up for the career they want while completing their HSC. Find out more about opportunities available across a wide range of occupations.
Undertaking a SBAT
The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) is responsible for developing and endorsing curriculum to provide for apprenticeship and traineeship pathways within the HSC.
Students undertaking an HSC VET course as part of a SBAT have the opportunity to:
- achieve a nationally-recognised VET qualification as well as their HSC
- gain valuable work skills and experience through paid employment.
Find out about requirements and arrangements for NSW school-based apprenticeships and traineeships at apprentices and trainees.
The School-based apprenticeships and traineeships web pages provide a range of information regarding SBATs for students and parents and registered training organisations (RTOs) and employers. This includes guidelines, checklists, roles and responsibilities, resources and contacts.
HSC VET courses for SBATs
SBATs must study the relevant HSC VET course (formal learning/off-the-job training) which will contribute HSC unit credit towards the 22 units required for the HSC.
For a SBAT to commence there must be an HSC VET Board Developed course (Industry Curriculum Framework) or VET Board Endorsed course (VET BEC) available.
A training plan for a SBAT must meet HSC VET course requirements to provide unit credit towards the HSC. During the development of a training plan, RTOs and schools must check the training plan against the appropriate Framework syllabus or VET BEC course description.
If the SBAT qualification pathway is not available through an existing course, an Application for a new Stage 6 VET Board Endorsed course for school-based apprentices/trainees will need to be submitted by the school through the school system or sector to NESA for consideration for endorsement.
SBATs may also elect to undertake the Industry-based Learning course for additional HSC credit for the learning undertaken during their paid employment (on-the-job training).
Adding units of competency to HSC VET courses for a SBAT
Where units of competency planned for inclusion in the training plan for a SBAT are not listed in the relevant HSC VET course, a request for units of competency to be considered for inclusion can be made to NESA through the school system or sector. This should occur while the training plan is being drafted and prior to signing.
Industry-based Learning
This Board Endorsed course is only available to students:
- with an approved SBAT training contract
- who are also entered for the appropriate HSC VET course for the formal learning/off-the-job training component of their SBAT.
The course enables students to demonstrate the additional knowledge, understanding, skills, values and attitudes they develop from the on-the-job training component of their SBAT.
Download the course description to learn more.
A support document and templates were developed to assist in initial implementation of this course. Templates include:
- student log
- student journal
- assessment schedule
- schedule of meetings with supervising teacher.
Commencing a SBAT in Year 10 (Stage 5)
The minimum year level to commence a SBAT is Year 10. A student must:
- first seek approval from the relevant school system or sector and school or principal to ensure NESA requirements are considered in the planning stages
- meet NESA requirements for Year 10 while concurrently starting their HSC.
Schools, RTOs and employers must take a range of factors into account when initiating a Year 10 SBAT commencement. Read the School Based Apprenticeship and Traineeship in NSW Guidelines and Guidelines for access to VET courses by students in Years 9 and 10.