School-based apprenticeships and traineeships (developing a business case)
Version 3
November 2011
School-based apprenticeships and traineeships (developing a business case) (PDF, 68KB)
What is it?
School-based apprentices and trainees are, typically, year 11 or 12 students undertaking the Queensland Certificate of Education (Senior Certificate or equivalent). Students in year 10 may also apply. In exceptional circumstances, a student in year 8 or 9 will be considered, provided a business case has been approved. This information sheet deals with the requirements for a business case prior to commencing.
Who is responsible for developing and submitting the business case?
The intending employer, apprentice or trainee and parent/guardian are primarily responsible for developing and submitting a business case. It may, however, be facilitated by a third party, such as the student's school or the registered training organisation (college) who is likely to supervise the apprenticeship or traineeship training. The business case must be supported by all these parties.
The business case must be submitted to the local district office of the Department of Education and Training (DET) for approval, and approved, before lodging the apprenticeship or traineeship training contract application.
If a student's commencement date of a training contract is after the end of the year 9 school year, and the student is enrolled to return to school the following year (not repeating year 9) they will not need a business case.
What are the requirements of a business case?
The written business case is to include the following evidence to support the school-based apprenticeship or traineeship application:
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the nature of the 'exceptional circumstances' (e.g. limited employment or training opportunities in a remote community; age and maturity of the student; other specified exceptional circumstances)
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the range of other options (e.g. work experience) considered by the school prior to supporting the engagement of the student in a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship
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how the school will accommodate the school-based apprenticeship or traineeship arrangement within the existing curriculum
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how well the student is handling school, and whether they have the capacity to take on the additional study load necessary to achieve the outcome of the school-based apprenticeship or traineeship
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any additional learning/support provided by the school and/or training organisation which will be available to support progress through the qualification
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the level of support, training and supervision that will be provided in the workplace
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any potential exposure to workplace risks associated with the particular employment arrangement.
Notification of the decision
The business case will be considered and the applicant employer, apprentice or trainee and parent/guardian notified in writing of the outcome. If the business case is not approved, a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship cannot be approved. (This does not prohibit the applicants from applying under full-time or part-time employment arrangements.)