What is 
- atEAST is a consortium of 8 secondary schools that work together to offer part time apprenticeships/traineeships as part of their vocational education and training for the past 14 years.
What is a School Based Apprenticeship?
- A School Based Apprenticeship is the same as a full time apprenticeship except it is undertaken on a part time basis in conjunction with Year 11 and 12 studies. The TAFE component is identical to a full time apprenticeship but as the work component is part time the actual apprenticeship is of a longer duration.
- Program structure:
School ~ 2 day per week – Monday & Tuesday
TAFE ~ Block release
Employment ~ 2 to 3 days per week – Wednesday/ Thursday/ Friday and the availability to do additional hours during the school holidays.
What are the benefits to employers?
- Professional selection of motivated applicants
- Prior to commencement of employment apprentices have completed OHS and employee responsibility training
- The apprentice has had work experience in the industry and understands the nature of the work
- A trial can be organised in the form of work experience prior to the employment of a part time apprentice
- atEAST provides regular monitoring and review at work and TAFE
- The apprentice is employed by you while he or she remains suitable and productive – if there is a problem we solve it together
- All apprenticeship paperwork is managed by atEAST in conjunction with their preferred apprenticeship centre
What are the Federal Government employer incentives?
| School Based Apprentice (Normal Subsidy) | |
| $2,250.00 | After 3 months |
| $750.00 | Retention after Year 12 |
| $2,500.00 | On completion |
| $5,500.00 |
How much will it cost to employ an SBAT?
The cost to employ a School Based Trainee is $10.88/hr for the first year, and $12.00 thereafter. The cost to employ a school based Apprentice varies according to industry and ranges from $6.11/Hr. to $9.72.
Employers are advised to confirm hourly rates with Fair Work Australia. Please note that first year wages can be paid during the second year of the apprenticeship as the apprentice has not completed the nominal hours required on the job to be paid second year wages.
When a School Based Apprentice is at trade school the apprentice is entitled to be paid the equivalent of 25% of the total time they have spent on the job averaged over a semester or year, eg if apprentice usually worked 16 hours per week he would be paid a total of 4 hours for the week he is attending trade school.
Annual leave, sick leave is pro-rata and apprentices are work cover exempt but $150.00 work cover levy is applicable annually. Trainees are paid only for hours worked, and rates are inclusive of annual and sick leave.
What are the outcomes for apprentices?
- Over 90% of students who have participated in the school based programmes have had their efforts rewarded with full time employment.
Students can complete their VCAL Studies which further supports communication, numeracy and literacy and their development of work ready skills.
Employers currently participating in the program strongly recommend it as a way to recruit and develop full time staff. I hope you will give us the opportunity to further discuss providing a school based apprentice in your business.