School-Based Traineeships

Information for Schools and Parents

Vocational Training Services works with schools within the Perth metro area as well as in regional parts of Western Australia from Esperance to Kununurra.

Take a look through this part of the website to discover how Vocational Training Services can work with you, the trainee’s school and the trainee to deliver the right programs for you.

What is a school-based traineeship and what are the benefits?

A school-based traineeship offers trainees the opportunity to obtain a nationally recognised Certificate II and/or Certificate III qualification, through a traineeship pathway, while they are still at school. When achieved, this outcome is recognised on the trainee’s Western Australian Certificate of Education.

With on-the-job training, school-based trainees can earn while they learn and gain valuable skills and knowledge in their chosen field.

A school-based traineeship is similar to an apprenticeship but does not require a trades certificate. The training is also shorter in duration and can usually be completed within 12 to 24 months.

The Process

There is a lot that happens before we get involved as the training organisation. Firstly, the trainee needs to receive an offer from an employer and have it supported by their school.

An Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) deals with the training contract which needs to be registered with the Western Australian Apprenticeship Office.

This is where we come in! We will be notified about our nomination to train the trainee under the contract.
VTS will then work with the trainee and the employer to select the best elective units in order to create a compliant training program. This is signed by all parties and endorsed by the school. We then notify the Apprenticeship Office that the training plan has been signed and endorsed.

VTS typically visits the trainee every 4 to 8 weeks. We provide all learning and assessment resources and guidance on how to support your trainee through the course.

Training is complete once all required competencies have been successfully achieved. It’s important to note that the training contract does not cease once the trainee leaves school if they have not completed their training. The training contract will need to be amended to a part-time contract and the employer and trainee need to continue to fulfill their obligations under the training contract, unless the contract is completed, expired or terminated.

Vocational Training Services School-Based Training

VTS and School-Based Training

VTS currently has 202 School-Based Trainees enrolled. As a WA-owned and operated RTO, we also offer SBTs in regional areas, with 33 students training in Business, Retail, or Hospitality from Esperance through to Kununurra.

VTS supports a significant number of school-based trainees at Kingsway Christian College, John Septimus Roe College, Swan Christian College, and Mundaring Christian College completing their Certificate II in Kitchen Operations and Certificate III in Hospitality. Completion of these certificates can lead to pathways in commercial cookery qualifications and the Diploma of Hospitality Management.

We have a strong, productive working relationship with Kingsway Christian College which helps align the training with the school’s plan for each individual student.

VTS also delivers training to school-based trainees engaged with employers such as Spudshed, Coffee Club, Cicerellos, Chocolateria San Churro, and Maxima Group Training.

In the last two years, VTS has graduated 189 graduated School-Based Trainees with Certificate II and III qualifications.

Approximately 30% of all traineeships VTS supports in WA are School-Based Traineeships.

Funding and Fees

The Department of Training and Workforce Development (DTWD) funds all SBTs, provided that the RTO is contracted by DTWD to deliver training. VTS is listed on the Preferred Provider Panel to receive funding from the Department. Entry requirements apply so please contact us for more information.

Please note, the Certificate III level can only be offered to Year 12 students