The Department works with the education sector, the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCASA) and industry to support the delivery of quality VET programs to Western Australian secondary students under our VETDSS program.
Here you will find a range of useful resources and information including:
- strategic documents and guidelines;
- the VET qualifications register for secondary students; and
- an overview of VET programs delivered to secondary students.
Strategic directions
The Joint Ministerial Statement establishes a clear strategic direction for VET delivered to secondary students.
View the Joint Ministerial statement
The VET Delivered to secondary students guidelines support the implementation of the Joint Ministerial statement and provide an operational framework to guide schools delivering VET programs to secondary students.
VET Qualifications register for secondary students
The VET Qualifications register for secondary students provides industry advice for schools and RTOs on the suitability of qualifications for secondary students and delivery requirements to meet industry standards. It is developed in consultation with schools, RTOs, and industry.
The register aims to assist schools and RTOs to select qualifications that are more likely to be completed by secondary students, or to help them transition effectively into further training or employment.
Please note that the register is of an advisory nature only, and does not override or replace training package requirements.
The Department funds the following VET programs to provide opportunities for full time secondary students to start training while at school.
Aboriginal School-based Training program
The Aboriginal School-based Training (ASBT) program has two pathways:
- employment based training (school-based apprenticeships and traineeships); and
- institutional based training.
The following documents contain key information for VET RTOs regarding the ASBT program.
Fact sheet: ASBT employment-based training pathway
Fact sheet: ASBT institutional pathway
Business rules: ASBT institutional pathway
Pre-apprenticeships and pre-traineeships in schools
Pre-apprenticeships and pre-traineeships in schools (PAiS) are Certificate II programs that have been nominated by industry training councils as valid pathways from school to related apprenticeships.
A list of pre-apprenticeship and pre-traineeship courses is available on the Jobs and Skills WA website.
Students attend school, train at an RTO and complete mandatory work placement. Completion of a pre-apprenticeship or pre-traineeship may also contribute to a student's WACE.
Business rules: WA PAiS programs
School-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SBATs)
SBATs are paid employment-based training programs for full time school students who are generally 15 years of age and over.
Students are required to enter into a training contract with their employer.
Qualifications that are available as school-based apprenticeships or traineeships are listed on the Register of Class A and B qualifications​.
Information on school-based apprenticeship and traineeship requirements is available in the Department of Training and Workforce Development's Apprenticeship and traineeship policy​.
Guide to WA school-based apprenticeships and traineeships
A guide to Western Australian school-based apprenticeships and traineeships is available to support schools, RTOs, employers, students, parents and other stakeholders operating in WA's apprenticeship and traineeship system.
The guide provides detailed information on the key aspects involved in a school-based apprenticeship and traineeship (SBAT) arrangement, including:
- a quick guide outlining the key steps involved in an SBAT from starting out through to completion;
- real life examples that make it easier to understand how SBATs actually work in practice;
- information on the roles and responsibilities of each of the stakeholders in an SBAT; and
- links for easy access to fact sheets, forms and other information.
The following documents relate to the management and delivery of VETDSS programs.
VETDSS Critical success factors
Show moreFive critical success factors underpin successful VET programs delivered to secondary students.
- Leadership, continuity and partnerships
- Student cohort and parent liaison
- Vision, place and configuration
- Flexibility
- Course content, structure and evaluation
VETDSS Auspicing research tool for schools
Show moreThe Department of Training and Workforce Development, in collaboration with the WA Department of Education and the WA Training Accreditation Council, has developed an RTO auspicing research tool.
This useful tool provides schools with prompts and questions to help them research and choose suitable RTOs to enter into auspicing arrangements with to deliver VET qualifications to their students. It includes:
- a focus on VET sector regulatory requirements;
- a checklist of information that should be included in an auspicing agreement; and
- links to VET sector resources to help schools easily access this information and understand the sector’s requirements.
