Media releases

Federation TAFE welcomes the extension of the Head Start school-based apprenticeship and traineeship program to all government senior secondary schools by the end of 2023, recently announced by the state government so that every young Victorian has the opportunity to kickstart their career.

The Head Start program complements secondary school-based education and gives years 10 to 12 students keen to enter the workforce the opportunity to complete an apprenticeship or traineeship while still finishing school, and to receive paid on-the-job training that contributes to their VCE, VCE Vocational Major or Victorian Pathways Certificate and leads to a qualification.

The program expansion will provide students with more than 150 career pathways across in-demand industries and offer employers well-matched, job ready and highly motivated young workers.

Federation TAFE works with eight partner schools across the greater Ballarat region and has 27 students currently enrolled in the Head Start program at various stage of their training. Of those 75% are apprentices and 25% are trainees.

The most popular Head Start programs at Federation TAFE are hairdressing, plumbing, early childhood education and care, electrotechnology and agriculture followed by automotive, carpentry, cabinet making, and painting.

Since late 2019 Federation TAFE has helped a total of 78 Head Start participants and engaged training with 58 students (85% apprentice/15% trainee) with more students completing applications to be involved.

Since Head Start was first trialled in 2018, more than 2500 students and more than 1500 employers across the state have participated with the initiative delivered through 12 Head Start hubs around Victoria. Students can learn more about Head Start by talking to their school’s career practitioner, with more information for students, schools and employers available at vic.gov.au/head-start-apprenticeships-and-traineeships. 

Quote attributable to Deputy Vice-Chancellor and CEO, Federation TAFE Mr Liam Sloan

“Like Federation TAFE, the Head Start program assists students to develop skills, capabilities and confidence that employers in growth industries need. The expansion of the Head Start program will help us continue to deliver excellent student outcomes and transform the lives of more young people. Federation TAFE is committed to addressing skills shortages in regional areas and being accessible and inclusive to students throughout Victoria.”