The Industry Liaison Officer’s (ILO) role is to administer, manage and monitor students who leave our campus to participate in External Programs that provide students with a Nationally Recognised Qualification and a QSA approved course. These include School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships and External Courses (e.g. TAFE Gold Coast and Careers Australia).
Suitability for students to participate in external programs
Whichever program your child chooses there will be questions asked in regards to the suitability of the Program for your child. Does it align with your Career of Future Study Pathway?
SATS – School Based Apprenticeships & Traineeships
School-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SATs) allow high school students to work for an employer, train towards a recognised qualification and complete their secondary school studies.
N.B. At Helensvale State High School only students following a Vocational or Personalised Pathway are eligible to participate in SATS.
A flexible school program allows students to effectively combine a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship (SAT) while studying for their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE).
To be eligible to participate in the SATS Program student’s school fees must be up to date. If you are unsure, please contact the Finance Department on 5573 8555. In accordance with "The Vale Way" – students wishing to represent HSHS must adhere strictly to these Attendance, Behaviour and Academic Policies. They must also acknowledge that it is their responsibility to catch up on any missed work due to work and study commitments.
Work experience / Trial for a position
As part of Helensvale State High School’s commitment to extending our students beyond the classroom and preparing them for the future, we offer a program of Work Experience, which enables our students to undertake an opportunity that extends their knowledge and skills in a particular field, whilst still studying at school.
Helensvale State High School offers students in Year 11 & 12 the opportunity to participate in Work Experience for 1 day per week for 5 weeks in their chosen area of interest. It is the responsibility of parents/guardians to seek out this work placement. The Industry Liaison will then organise paperwork and approval regarding this placement.
Please note: payment will not be made to students participating in work experience.
Students participate in the program for two main reasons.
- To trial for an advertised position once interviewed with an employer (this allows the employer time to assess the student and time for the student to see if the position is appropriate for them)
- To gain industry experience to ensure this is the area they would like to pursue for a career/qualification pathway.
However, with either of these situations, there is no guarantee of a school based apprenticeship or traineeship placement.
To be eligible to participate in the Work Experience Program student’s school fees and levies must be up to date. If you are unsure, please contact the Finance Department on (07)5573 8555. In accordance with our Responsible Behaviour Plan "The Vale Way" - students wishing to represent Helensvale State High School must adhere strictly to these Attendance, Behaviour and Academic Policies. They must also acknowledge that it is their responsibility to catch up on any missed work due to work commitments.
External courses
- TAFE Qld - Gold Coast Schools Programs and External Intuitions (e.g. Careers Australia) offering Queensland Curriculum Assessment Authority (QCAA) approvedcourses
- Applications must align to Future Career and Study Pathways
- Available to Year 11 & 12 students only
- Applications and Positions advertised all year round (depending on RTO)
- All applications must be administered and authorised by ILO Student attendance and academic reports are sent to RTO for consideration.
- Senior Deputy has final approval of applicants
If you find an accredited course you think your child could complete while they are still at school, please speak with ILO. This information will then be discussed with the Deputy Principal of Senior Schooling and must be approved before commencement.
Builders White Card
The White Card course is a requirement for anyone who wants to work in the construction industry. The White Card can be delivered a number of ways. Search for your local provider online or see ILO for companies who deliver it online, in person or in a school group setting.
Blue card – Working Children Check
This assesses a person’s eligibility to hold a blue card or exemption card based on their known past police and disciplinary information. This process also disqualifies certain people upfront and prevents people from working with children whose past behaviour indicates they are not eligible to enter regulated child-related employment.
Students can apply through the ILO and will need 2 forms of identification (one being a signature document – passport, learners/drivers licence, bank account card)
FAQs about SATS
What’s the difference between a Traineeship and an Apprenticeship?
Apprenticeships and traineeships combine training with working in a real job, for a real boss, with a real wage. An apprentice is trained in a skilled trade and upon successful completion will become a qualified tradesperson. Trades such as electrical, plumbing, cabinet-making and automotive mechanics are just a few trades available under the apprenticeship scheme. Students may convert to a full-time or part-time apprenticeship when they finish school to allow them to complete the qualification.
A trainee is someone who is being trained in a vocational area. These vocational areas include, but are not limited to, business, information technology and hospitality. Upon completion of a traineeship you will be eligible to receive a minimum of a Certificate II in your chosen vocational area.
A school-based apprentice is trained in a skilled trade, and upon successful completion, will become a qualified tradesperson. Students may convert to a full-time or part-time apprenticeship when they finish school to allow them to complete the qualification.
Upon completion of a school-based traineeship, students will receive a minimum of a Certificate II in their chosen vocational area.
How long does a SAT last for?
How do I find an Employer?
First make an appointment with ILO – You will be given letter and information for prospective employer to explain how the Work Experience and SATS Programs work
Available positions are advertised by ILO via parent & student emails, student notices, student parade notices and window displays outside ILO office
Ask Family & Friends Networks – these are the best resource – you may already know and trust them
Approach local businesses that you would be happy to have your student work in
When can I start applying for a SAT?
Year 10 – after Year 10 work experience in September – students will have a better idea of what pathway they will be following
Year 11 – start anytime during Year 11 and finish by October Year 12
Year 12 – as close to start of the year as possible as the trainee needs to be finished by October to receive QCE points in time & student needs to complete 50 work days/ calendar year. Apprenticeships can be signed up as late as August in Year 12
How do I get a School Based Apprenticeship or Traineeship?
See ILO to make an appointment and receive paperwork for parent’s approval
(understanding how this SATS could impact the student at school and government funding issues)
Return paperwork and talk to ILO about your opportunities and what you want to do once you have left school, so that the Traineeship/Apprenticeship you decided to aim for is appropriate.
If you need more information about School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships, please keep reading or visit the apprenticeship
info website or alternatively make an appointment with the ILO on 5573 8545 or lbell138@eq.edu.au
Facts for students and parents
A flexible school program allows students to effectively combine a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship (SAT) while studying for their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE)
School-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SATs) also provide opportunities to:
gain new skills, learn about workplaces, and develop confidence
put skills learnt at school into practice in a real work environment
work towards a vocational qualification that's recognised by industry and can count towards a Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE)
fast-track students to where they want to be when they finish school - whether that's a job or further training.
Young people and their parents or guardians are often surprised to find where a SAT can lead.
Facts for employers
Employing a SAT can be very rewarding. The SATs program can be part of an employer's recruitment strategy. SATs offer employers value for money. Benefits may include state and federal government incentives, depending on the location, industry and young person employed.
Advantages of school-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SATs)
SATs help young people to go places ... whether that's a full-time job, a trade career, TAFE or other training. The workplace skills and confidence they gain during their SAT provide a solid foundation for any career. Some of the advantages of SATs include:
More flexibility and variety
The variety provided by school-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SATs) can have enormous benefits for young people who prefer hands-on learning to traditional schooling pathways. SATs can contribute to a Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE). Head start in a career
Young people employed as school-based apprentices and trainees develop workplace skills, knowledge, confidence and competitive edge when applying for jobs. School-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SATs) can lead directly to full-time employment once a student has left school.
Nationally recognised qualifications
All school-based apprentices and trainees participate in vocational training that contributes to a Certificate II, III or higher vocational qualification.
An opportunity to learn and earn
School-based apprentices and trainees are paid while they learn workplace skills, gain confidence, and adapt to a work environment.
Vocational education, training qualifications and competencies are recorded as part of the QCE. The QCE records students' qualifications and achievements when the student finishes school.
Some students complete traineeships while they're at school, which means they leave school with a QCE and a nationally recognised vocational certificate. Others go on to finish their apprenticeship or traineeship either full-time or part-time after they have left school.
If you need more assistance with any of the above information, please contact:
Lisa Bellamy, Helensvale SHS ILO
Telephone: (07)5573 8545
Email: lbell138@eq.edu.au