Other programs

Pre-apprenticeship courses

Pre-apprenticeship programs have been conducted over many years at Federation University Australia (TAFE Division). This is a pathway for those students wishing to gain apprenticeships in a particular trade area. The employment take-up after a student has completed one of these programs is very high as employers often ask our teaching staff for potential apprentices to employ in their businesses.

We offer pre-apprenticeship programs in the following industry areas. To enquire, call us on 1800 FED UNI (1800 333 864).

Australian school-based apprenticeships (ASBA)

'School-based apprenticeships' is a term used to describe all part-time apprenticeships and traineeships. The same conditions apply as a full-time apprenticeship but students usually complete Certificate II or III part-time over a two year period. Students usually spend three days at school completing their VCE or VCAL and two days in paid employment and training. Australian school-based apprenticeships are available only in the following areas: agriculture, automotive, business, community services, engineering, food processing, horticulture, hospitality, information technology and retail.

Australian school-based apprenticeships enable you to gain a national vocational qualification while continuing school studies.

They have a number of features including:

  • attendance at school and work
  • a training agreement, which links to an industrial award or agreement, signed by the employer and you, as an Apprentice
  • attainment of a senior secondary certificate and a vocational education and training (VET) qualification
  • you earn a wage for the time spent in productive work.

Structured work placements

Structured work placements are an integral part of all VET courses and are designed to allow students to spend time in the work place practicing and developing skills relevant to the VET course being undertaken. Structured work placements are recommended for all VET Programs. They allow the student to experience chosen field of work and provide students with potential contacts for employment. Students gain a better understanding of workplace skills such as teamwork, initiative, responsibility and cooperation.

Vocational Education and Training in Schools (VETiS)

VET in Schools (VETiS) allows you study towards a TAFE course while you are still at secondary school. VET in Schools combines regular school subjects with vocational subjects - usually undertaken in year 11 and 12. There are a range of programs designed to allow students to acquire industry relevant skills while still attending school. VETiS contributes towards satisfactory completion of VCE or the VCAL Certificate. VETiS may contribute towards ENTER scores for higher education programs. VETiS also provides a nationally recognised VET certificate on successful completion of program. Most programs are at Cert II or III level and two years in duration.

Victorian Certificate in Education (VCE)

VCE is not always a compulsory prerequisite for all Apprenticeships. If you have chosen this pathway try to compliment it with another pathway such as VETiS or a pre-apprenticeship to show interest in your chosen field. Employers value work experience so gain as much as feasible while you complete your studies.

Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL)

The Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) is a hands-on option for Year 11 and 12 students. The VCAL provides you with practical work-related experience and industry-specific skills as well as literacy and numeracy skills and the opportunity to build personal skills that are important for life and work. The course is accredited by the Victorian Qualifications Authority (VQA). A VCAL certificate is issued on completion of the appropriate number of units.

VCAL provides many opportunities for contact and training with potential employers and you gain and use work related skills during work experience. You use industry skills to gain recognised training in your area of interest and you are able to do VET subjects whilst gaining an ENTER score.

Students who complete VCAL are more likely to:

  • Go on to training at TAFE
  • Undertake an apprenticeship
  • Get a job after completing school

Work experience

Work experience is generally undertaken by year 10 students and differs from structured work place learning in a number of ways. Students gain a general taste of the world of work. Work experience may not relate to subjects being studying at school. This experience involves observing and carrying out tasks nominated by supervisors.