SBA's, apprenticeships and traineeships

 

What is a School Based Apprenticeship?
A School Based Apprenticeship (SBA) in Agriculture (Dairy) is an arrangement that allows you to start working and learning while you’re still at school. As a schoolbased dairy apprentice, you would usually go to school for four days a week and work on-farm one day a week. If you and your employer prefer, you can arrange to work on weekends or over the school holidays. SBA’s are arranged through Australian Apprenticeship Centres, so you would be supported and mentored throughout the placement by experienced field officers.

Please note, SBAs are only offered in Victoria at this stage. Please see the Apprenticeships and traineeships section for information relevant to the rest of Australia.

Will I be paid?
Whether you work one day a week, or in blocks, you will be paid for your working hours at the National Training Wage. You may also be offered additional work beyond the required apprenticeship hours. What extra training would I have to do? Over two years (usually Years 10 and 11), you would complete a Certificate II or III in Agriculture at the National Centre for Dairy Education (NCDEA). Most of the training is on-farm, but you will spend some time in the classroom, completing workbooks as you achieve competencies. Assessment is based on your performance in the workplace. A completed Certificate II or III counts towards your VCE or VCAL certificate as one subject.

At the end of your apprenticeship, an Advanced Diploma in Agriculture at the NCDEA would support you moving into a well-paid and satisfying role in farm management. Even if you decide not to pursue a career on a farm after school, the experience of doing a school-based apprenticeship in dairy will have given you:

• valuable experience as an employee
• a chance to earn some money without leaving school
• useful skills, and
• evidence on your CV that you know how to work and learn on the job.

 

What happens afterwards?
If you decide to go full-time on a farm after school, a completed certificate course may reduce the length of your full-time dairy traineeship. Skilled dairy farmhands are in demand so you could look forward to a long and rewarding career.

For more information visit the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority website.

 

Apprenticeships and traineeships

Apprentices and trainees learn industry skills by combining on-the-job paid work with training, some of which may take place at work. To do an apprenticeship or traineeship you need to have a job with an employer who is willing to employ you as an apprentice or trainee.

Apprentices and trainees are required to sign a contract of training. When you finish the training you will have a nationally recognised qualification. As an apprentice or trainee you will receive wages and other benefits to which employees are entitled.

For more information visit www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au