School Based Apprenticeships & Traineeships (SBAT)
“At HCS, our student careers program offers tailored guidance, workshops, and resources to help you discover your interests, develop essential skills, and set achievable goals”.
“Students at Hunter Christian School are offered personalised guidance, mentorship, and career planning. We assist students by transforming their academic excellence into successful professional opportunities. Our students have access to platforms such as JobJump and a dedicated Careers area within Canvas where they receive frequent updates. In addition, from Stage 5, our students begin the process of thinking about their career, and work on the transferable skills required.”
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Discover alternate HSC pathways on offer!
Years 10-12 are a crucial time to explore your interests and lay the groundwork for your future career. At Hunter Christian School, our student careers program provides personalised guidance, workshops, and resources to help you discover your passions, build essential skills, and set realistic goals.
Whether you’re considering Vocational Education and Training (VET), a School-Based Apprenticeship or Traineeship (SBAT), gaining work experience, or entering the workforce directly, we are here to support you every step of the way. Begin shaping your future today with Hunter Christian School.
Our dynamic student career program is tailored to guide students toward fulfilling career paths. We offer personalised career counseling to help you explore different industries and uncover your strengths.
Through personalised advice and partnerships with industry leaders, our students gain hands-on experience and valuable insights into potential careers. We also provide resources for career planning and university applications, ensuring you are well-prepared for higher education, vocational training or the workforce.
At Hunter Christian School, we focus on holistic development, equipping students with the skills and confidence needed to successfully pursue their chosen career paths.
School based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SBAT)
What is a School Based Traineeship or Apprenticeship? (SBAT)
School-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SBATs) offer students a unique opportunity to combine their education with practical workplace experience. These programs are regulated under the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act 2001.
By participating in SBATs, senior students can gain a valuable head start on their chosen career while completing their HSC. They receive formal training from a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and practical on-the-job experience with an employer, acquiring essential skills and knowledge for their industry. Upon successful completion, students earn a nationally recognized VET qualification and HSC credit.
School-based trainees complete their entire traineeship by the end of their HSC year. School-based apprentices, on the other hand, finish the initial stage of their apprenticeship training during their HSC year and continue their apprenticeship beyond graduation.
How does it work?
School-based apprentices work part-time and undertake the first stage of their formal or off-the-job apprenticeship training while school based trainees work part-time and complete their formal or off-the-job traineeship training by the end of their HSC year. Basically, you’ll be at work one day per week, and at school 4 days per week. The work missed is expected to be caught up on. You will complete study (eg Certificate III) simultaneously so you get the theory and the practical.
Key components of an SBAT
School-based apprenticeships and traineeships are made up of five key components:
- School Attendance:Students must actively participate in their school program while enrolled in a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship and fulfill all requirements for Stage 6.
- Paid Employment:Students are required to complete a minimum number of paid working days by December 31st of their HSC year. This requirement typically ranges from 100 to 180 days.
- Training:Students engage in both on-the-job training with their employer and off-the-job (formal) training. Formal training is provided by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) through a Board Developed or Board Endorsed VET course. To ensure timely HSC credit, school-based trainees and apprentices must complete their formal training component by the end of Term 3.
- National Qualification:Upon successful completion, students earn a nationally recognised industry qualification. Apprenticeships typically lead to a Certificate III qualification, while traineeships often result in a Certificate II or III.
- HSC Credit:The formal training component generally contributes a minimum of 4 units towards the HSC, typically spread over two years.
Industry-Based Learning course
School-based apprentices and trainees may also elect to undertake a Board Endorsed Course called Industry-Based Learning (IBL). IBL is only available to students who are completing an SBAT. In addition to the HSC unit credit for the course a student does as part of their SBAT, IBL can also contribute up to 4 units of HSC credit over two years.
Eligibility and study requirements
HSC Requirements
To be eligible for an SBAT, students must be enrolled in the HSC and meet HSC subject selection requirements. This means, students have a Preliminary pattern of study comprising at least 12 units and a HSC pattern of study comprising at least 10 units.
To qualify for the HSC / ATAR:
Basically, you have the HSC and the ATAR. These are two separate things. To be eligible to get a HSC, you need to have 12 units at Year 11, and 10 at Year 12. Some VET courses are Board Developed Courses (BDC) which means that they can get an ATAR as well. https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/11-12/stage-6-learning-areas/vet
Some are Board Endorsed Courses (BEC) which means that you still get the units towards your HSC, but they don’t count towards an ATAR. https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/11-12/stage-6-learning-areas/vet/stage-6-vet-board-endorsed-courses
You will need to decide if an ATAR is important to you or not. Any Certificate III automatically attracts a 67 equivalent ATAR recognised by a lot of universities. You need to figure out what your rough career plan is and if you are thinking about university. There are however, a myriad of ways to enter university, so if that is a concern, let’s have a chat.
Considering an SBAT
Considering an SBAT?
Before enrolling, ask yourself:
- Interest: Is this a career I’m passionate about?
- Workload: Can I balance school, work, training, and other commitments?
- Support: Do I have a strong support system?
- Commuting: Can I reliably travel to work and training?
- Employer: Do I have a potential employer lined up?
If you can answer “yes” to most of these questions, an SBAT might be a fantastic choice for you.
Industry areas
School based apprenticeships are available in Automotive, Electrotechnology, Baking, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Wall and Ceiling Lining, Marine, Hairdressing, Beauty Therapy, Carpentry, Horticulture, Roof Tiling, Meat Processing, Jewellery Manufacture, Locksmithing and more.
School based traineeships are available in Automotive, Dental Assisting, Electrotechnology, Baking, Beauty, Tourism, Retail, Floristry, Transport and Logistics, Education (Early Childhood), Construction, Beekeeping, Music Industry, Aged Care and more.
Finding the right SBAT
Students are advised to do research on a career that excites them, talk to the school Careers Adviser and explore the options.
The following websites have information to help them find the right SBAT for them.
Search for Apprenticeships
NSW Education – School-based apprenticeships and traineeships
Search for Traineeships
NSW Education – School-based apprenticeships and traineeships
https://education.nsw.gov.au/schooling/students/career-and-study-pathways/school-based-apprenticeships-and-traineeships/traineeships
Watch school based apprentices discuss their experiences with the SBAT in NSW program
SkillsOne Future Skills
https://www.skillsone.com.au/vidgallery/nsw-sbats/
Watch apprentices and trainees provide advice about their careers and experiences
Training Services NSW Youtube
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL78g8-WmjFKvFrtgPCB5CalbSAJCX7MAh
Relevant parties
Implementing school-based apprenticeships and traineeships require a number of parties to work together.
- The school
- The parent / guardian
- The employer
- The Registered Training Organisation (RTO)
- Apprenticeship Network Provider
Australian Apprenticeship Support Network
You can find your nearest Apprenticeship Network Provider by visiting australianapprenticeships.gov.au
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