Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander school-based traineeships

A school-based traineeship combines paid employment, vocational training, and school education into one dynamic program.

High school students in Years 10, 11, and 12 can undertake these traineeships to gain employment experience, work towards a recognised qualification, and fulfil their secondary education requirements simultaneously.

We provide a 2-year school-based traineeship program specifically for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students actively enrolled and attending a registered school.

This program empowers young individuals who thrive with a practical learning style to hone their skills, expand their knowledge, and build confidence directly in the workplace.

Note: We will be using the User Choice Policy for these traineeships, which may affect access to future funding. 

What we offer

A school-based traineeship will be completed while the student is still enrolled at their school. The traineeship provides 1 day of paid employment per week (minimum 375 hours paid employment over each 12 month period). 

Students will be asked to complete a Language, Literacy and Numeracy questionnaire to ensure any language, literacy and numeracy issues are identified upfront.

Training

Transport and Main Roads, the student and parent (or guardian) will be required to sign a training contract with the help of an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network provider.

A registered training organisation will provide all training and assessment for the traineeship. The registered training organisation will work with the student and host area of the department to develop a training plan. The training plan will outline:

• training needs
• how and when training will take place
• who will provide training
• how training will be assessed.

Paid work

Trainees are employed on a temporary basis, paid fortnightly and are covered by all of our applicable insurances, including workers compensation, while at work.

The base hourly wage rate for school-based apprentices and trainees is based on the wage progression arrangement listed in the Apprentices’ and Trainees’ Wages and Conditions (Queensland Government Departments and Certain Government Entities) Order.

We may provide additional working hours over school holidays if both parties agree. This is strongly encouraged to maximise the experience and help reach the required hours.

Traineeship locations

Traineeship locations will change based on the available opportunities. 

Travel subsidies

School-based trainees may also be eligible, through the relevant school sector, to receive travel subsidies to attend the portion of their training which is delivered by their registered training organisation. State school students may apply using the School-based Apprenticeships and Traineeships Travel and Accommodation Subsidy Claim Form available on the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training website.

Qualifications

A Certificate III Engineering (Technical) is the preferred qualification, but business areas in the department can choose another relevant qualification. 

The traineeship counts towards the award of a Queensland Certificate of Education and towards a vocational qualification. It can also count towards a selection rank for university.

The qualification or competencies completed during the School-based Apprenticeships and Traineeships are contributing studies to a Queensland Certificate of Education and will be recorded in the student’s learning account. For more details on how a School-based Apprenticeships and Traineeships affects the Queensland Certificate of Education, refer to the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority.

For an early completion of a traineeship, the school-based trainee must have undertaken at least 375 hours of paid employment and Department of Employment, Small Business and Training is satisfied that a regular program of paid work has maintained the validity of the training contract. All required off-the-job training is completed and the parties agree that the trainee is competent.

Am I eligible to apply?

To be eligible you must:

• an Australian Citizen
• An Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person is one who identifies as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person and either:
  • is of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent; or
  • is accepted as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander by the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community in which they live.
• be enrolled and attending a registered school in the senior phase of learning (years 10, 11 & 12).

How to apply for a school-based traineeship

To identify suitable applicants, we will partner with:

• Department of Treaty,  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Community and the Arts,
• Education Queensland, the
• Department of Employment, Small Business and Training
• registered schools.

You may be asked to provide a brief resumé or written description of your:

• background 
• skills, and
• a copy of your latest academic report. 

We may conduct informal interviews with selected candidates. 

If you are interested or would like more information, email us at TMR_School-based [email protected].