Earn While You Learn and Get a Head Start on Your Future
Not sure what you want to do after school? A School‑Based Apprenticeship or Traineeship lets you start exploring your future while you’re still at school.
With Skill Hire, you can:
It’s a smart way to build confidence, skills and career options before leaving school.
A school‑based apprenticeship or traineeship allows you to start work, earn money and complete training while you’re still at school. You combine paid work, industry training and your school studies, giving you real experience before you finish Year 11 or 12.
Both options let you earn while you learn, but they suit different career paths.
A School‑Based Apprenticeship usually leads to a trade or technical qualification and takes place over a longer training pathway.
A School‑Based Traineeship focuses on developing skills for roles in areas like business, retail, hospitality and logistics, and is often shorter in duration.
Skill Hire can help you understand which option is right for you.
School‑Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships are available to secondary school students, typically in Years 10, 11 or 12, depending on the pathway. You’ll also need approval from your school and a parent or guardian.
Most students work 1–2 days per week with a host employer. The rest of the week is spent at school and completing training. This helps you balance work, study and life outside school.
Yes. You are paid for the time you work with your host employer, whether you are completing a school‑based apprenticeship or traineeship.
Yes. Your training contributes unit credits towards your Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE), helping you work towards graduation while building skills for the future.
School‑Based Traineeships usually run for 12–18 months, depending on the qualification.
School‑Based Apprenticeships may continue beyond school as part of a longer training pathway.
Skill Hire will explain the expected duration before you start.
Skill Hire offers School‑Based Traineeships in a range of industries, including:
If you’re unsure which pathway is right for you, Skill Hire can help you explore your options.
If you already have an employer, that’s great.
If you don’t, Skill Hire can help match you with a suitable host employer and guide you through the process.
Skill Hire is a Group Training Organisation (GTO), which means we:
You’ll have a team supporting you throughout your traineeship.
For eligible students, there are no training fees. Skill Hire will explain any costs upfront before you start.
A School‑Based Apprenticeship/Traineeship can lead to:
Many students use their school‑based traineeship as a pathway into future employment.
