Vocational education and training

On this page

• How can school students undertake VET?
• VETiS funding
• VET qualifications available through the school
• TAFE at School
• Expectations of students attending TAFE
• School-based apprenticeships and traineeships
• Apprenticeship training limits
• Additional requirements for electrotechnology
• Important information

How can school students undertake VET?

Vocational education and training, commonly known as VET, allows students to develop practical workplace skills and complete nationally recognised qualifications while they are at school.

Eligible VET qualifications can contribute credits towards the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE). The number of credits awarded depends on the qualification and the amount of training successfully completed.

At Bundaberg State High School, students may undertake VET:

• as part of their school subject program;
• through an external registered training organisation;
• through TAFE Queensland;
• through a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship; or
• through an approved fee-for-service arrangement.

Course availability, eligibility requirements, fees and government-funded places are reviewed each year and may change.

For information about VET subjects, TAFE at School and external training, contact the Head of Department – Year 10 and VET through the Senior Hub.

For information about school-based apprenticeships and traineeships, contact the school's Pathways Officer.

VETiS funding

Vocational Education and Training in Schools (VETiS) funding is provided by the Queensland Government to support eligible students in Years 10, 11 and 12 to undertake approved vocational education and training while they are at school.

Students can access one Queensland Government-funded training opportunity at a time. This may be:

• a funded Certificate I or Certificate II qualification; or
• a funded school-based apprenticeship or traineeship.

Students cannot undertake two Department of Trade, Employment and Training-funded qualifications at the same time. However, a student may undertake a VETiS-funded qualification alongside a qualification delivered by the school or a fee-for-service qualification.

VETiS funding applies only to qualifications and training providers approved by the Queensland Government. Funding eligibility, available qualifications and approved training providers may change each year.

Students and families should carefully consider the qualification selected. Before enrolling, students should ensure that the qualification:

• supports their career or further-training pathway;
• is appropriate for their interests and abilities;
• can be completed alongside their school commitments; and
• is delivered by an approved training provider.

Government funding generally covers tuition and assessment costs. Students may still be required to pay for uniforms, personal protective equipment, textbooks, equipment, licences, travel or other course-related expenses.

Accessing VETiS funding does not guarantee entry into a course. Places remain subject to eligibility, course availability, provider requirements and school approval.

Further information is available from the Queensland Government VET in Schools website.

VET qualifications available through the school

Qualifications offered through Bundaberg State High School are delivered in partnership with registered training organisations.

Current school-based offerings may include:

• CHC34015 Certificate III in Active Volunteering;
• BSB30120 Certificate III in Business and SIT20125 Certificate II in Tourism;
• SIS30321 Certificate III in Fitness;
• HLT23221 Certificate II in Health Support Services and HLT33115 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance;
• ICT30120 Certificate III in Information Technology; and
• 10971NAT Certificate IV in Justice Studies.

Students and families should refer to the current Senior Subject Handbook for confirmed qualification codes, registered training organisations, course structures, eligibility requirements, QCE credits and fees.

Some qualifications are supported through government funding. Other qualifications are offered on a fee-for-service basis. Funded places are subject to student eligibility, provider arrangements and the qualifications approved for funding in that year.

TAFE at School

Bundaberg State High School students may apply for selected TAFE at School programs at the Bundaberg campus.

Available pathways may include:

• automotive;
• construction;
• electrotechnology;
• engineering;
• early childhood education and care;
• health and community services;
• hospitality and tourism;
• information technology;
• rural operations;
• animal care;
• hairdressing, salon and beauty services; and
• other industry areas offered by TAFE Queensland.

Most TAFE at School programs require students to attend TAFE one day each week. Course duration, attendance days, equipment, uniform, laptop and fee requirements vary between programs.

Applications are subject to:

• course availability;
• student eligibility;
• available funded places;
• TAFE entry requirements;
• satisfactory school attendance, effort and behaviour; and
• school approval.

Applying does not guarantee a place in a TAFE program.

Expectations of students attending TAFE

Students attending TAFE remain enrolled at Bundaberg State High School and are expected to represent the school appropriately.

Students must:

• attend TAFE on every scheduled day and arrive on time;
• remain on the TAFE campus until their scheduled classes are finished;
• notify both TAFE and the school if they are absent;
• follow TAFE rules, safety procedures and staff instructions;
• wear the required uniform, personal protective equipment and enclosed footwear;
• bring all required equipment, resources and a charged laptop where required;
• behave respectfully towards TAFE staff, other students and members of the public;
• complete training, assessment and workplace requirements by the due dates;
• regularly check their TAFE email and online learning platform;
• maintain satisfactory attendance, behaviour and progress at both school and TAFE;
• catch up on all schoolwork missed while attending TAFE; and
• seek help early if they are experiencing difficulties.

TAFE attendance is not a day off school. It is part of the student's senior education program and requires maturity, independence and commitment.

Students who have ongoing attendance, behaviour, safety or course-progress concerns may have their TAFE enrolment reviewed.

School-based apprenticeships and traineeships

A school-based apprenticeship or traineeship allows a student to remain enrolled at school while undertaking paid employment and nationally recognised training.

Students complete a combination of:

• paid work with an employer;
• workplace training;
• formal training and assessment with a registered training organisation; and
• their normal senior school studies.

A formal training contract is required between the employer and the apprentice or trainee. A parent or guardian must also sign where required.

An Apprentice Connect Australia Provider assists the employer and student to prepare and lodge the training contract. The school and registered training organisation also support the school-based training arrangement.

A school-based apprenticeship or traineeship forms part of the student's senior learning program. Students must continue to meet school attendance, behaviour, academic, employment and training requirements.

Contact the school's Pathways Officer for information about finding an employer, eligibility, training arrangements and school approval.

Further information is available from the Queensland Government school-based apprenticeships and traineeships website.

Apprenticeship training limits

School-based apprentices generally complete only part of their apprenticeship qualification while they are at school.

The maximum amount of institutional training that can be completed while school-based depends on the nominal full-time term of the apprenticeship:

• four-year apprenticeship – a maximum of 33.3% of the units of competency;
• three-year apprenticeship – a maximum of 40% of the units of competency; and
• two-year apprenticeship – a maximum of 50% of the units of competency.

These limits apply to institutional training delivered to school-based apprentices. They do not apply in the same way to school-based traineeships.

The remaining apprenticeship requirements are generally completed after the student leaves school and transfers to a full-time or part-time apprenticeship.

Additional requirements for electrotechnology

School-based apprenticeships in electrotechnology have additional entry, training and employment requirements.

To commence a school-based electrotechnology apprenticeship, a student must:

• be in Year 11 or Year 12; and
• have achieved passes in Year 10 English, Mathematics and Science.

Students cannot commence a school-based electrotechnology apprenticeship while they are in Year 10.

School-based electrotechnology apprentices must complete at least 600 hours, or 80 days, of paid employment during each 12-month period of the school-based apprenticeship.

The combined total of on-the-job employment and off-the-job training must not exceed 100 days during that 12-month period.

Students interested in an electrotechnology apprenticeship should speak with the school's Pathways Officer before entering into a training contract.

Further information is available from the Queensland Government electrotechnology apprenticeships website.

Important information

VET courses, providers, funding arrangements, eligibility requirements and fees may change from year to year.

Students and families should check the current Senior Subject Handbook and speak with the Senior Hub before making subject or training decisions.​

​