South West LLEN’s structured work place learning partnership broker, Lyn Lanman said students, parents and educators needed to recognise the viability and benefits of pathways such as School-Based Apprenticeships (SBA), Structured Work Place Learning (SWL) and Vocational Education and Training (VET) and the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL). She said these programs were a terrific preparation and pathway into employment from school. 

“Employers are wanting young people with some skills,” Mrs Lanman said.

“To have that, they need to be doing vocational education in high school such as SBA, SWL, VET or VCAL. Through that they will have opportunities to explore different occupations, which they may not necessarily take up. VCAL is not low-level learning. It’s building skills for future employment. Not every student wants to go to university.” 

Warrnambool’s Bolden Constructions has a long history of employing school-based apprentices.

Director Leigh Dufty said the commercial and residential building and construction company always had at least one apprentice employed.

“We generally take on school-based apprentices to help get them into the industry and make sure they enjoy it,” he said. “We have had three apprentices over the last three years. Our last six apprentices have come through school-based.”

He said a SBA gave students time to figure out their options.

“One day a week and then during the school holidays gives them time to work out if they actually do like it,” Mr Dufty said. “If they come straight out of school and start their apprenticeship after a month they might hate it and they have to find something else.” He said apprentices had come through the ranks at Bolden and after qualifying stayed on to work full-time.

“For the first twelve months of any apprenticeship it’s about being keen about what you do,” he said. “It’s not about being great at everything, it’s about showing initiative and interest.”

From a business perspective WestVic Staffing Solutions apprentice and traineeship consultant Tim Rantall said employers were “generally after someone with a good attitude, who was prepared to listen”.

“The employers say they can teach them the skills later on, although some experience is appreciated,” he said.

“Showing initiative and willingness to have a go is important.” 

MEGT business relationship consultant Shane Monaghan echoed Mr Rantall’s comments.

“Employers are after reliability and a genuine interest in what the employer has on offer,” he said.

He said it was also important for job seekers to have an updated resume that addressed the job they were applying for.