Hayden Turbitt is completing a School Based Apprenticeship/Traineeship in the automotive (heavy vehicle) trade.
THE numbers of students wanting to complete School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships far outweigh the number of employers willing to provide that opportunity.
South Eastern BEC's Jasmin Blake hopes to change those numbers by providing more information to both parties at the School Based Apprenticeship and Traineeship Information Session on Thursday, October 25.
"The demand certainly outstrips the supply of employers," she said. "But there are advantages [for employers] like the lower costs of having an extra pair of hands at work for a day, particularly on a day that might regularly be a busy one.
"To have a school-based apprentice on that day can be a real help and employer's aren't left a worker short. It can be a great way to fill the void when your older full time apprentice has their TAFE training day."
School Based Apprenticeship and Traineeships are structured to allow students to spend three days at school studying for their HSC, one day of formal training at TAFE or CIT and one day a week in the workplace.
Mrs Blake said this model combines the benefits of a trade and formal education.
"Students no longer have to make the difficult choice between gaining a higher level of education and leaving to commence training in a trade," she said.
This year seven students involved in the SBAT program will graduate from the Industry Training College, an educational institution specifically tailored to the model by running classes for just three days a week.
Mrs Blake said while the program had been popular in the automotive heavy vehicle mechanic and hairdressing field, employers in the electrical and plumbing industries have been reluctant to participate.
"Perhaps they don't feel one day a week [in the workplace] is enough time," she said.
The information sessions will also outline other ways the community can get involved with local schools including work experience, VET Work Placement and working with partnership brokers.
"VET Work Place is another school program that allows students to enrol in a course and work towards a Certificate II qualification while at the same time gaining credit toward their HSC," Mrs Blake explained.
"A mandatory requirement of the course is the work placement component...they will need to complete a minimum of 70 hours on the job, it provides a very realistic insight into a particular industry area.
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Another avenue is by working with The South Eastern BEC Partnership Brokers.
"Partnership brokers help those in business to partner with schools and work together to create dynamic learning experiences that increase engagement and aspirations among many students," Mrs Blake said.
The School Based Apprenticeship and Traineeship Information Session will be held on Thursday, October 25 from 5.30 to 6.30pm at the Queanbeyan TAFE Campus, Block F (corner of MacQuoid and Buttle Streets).If you would like further information please call Jasmin Blake, School Based Apprenticeship/Traineeship Coordinator on 6284 3297.
