High school students in Ballarat will soon be able to finish school with an apprenticeship or traineeship, ready for work in high demand and high growth industries thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.
Minister for Education James Merlino today visited Phoenix P-12 Community College in Sebastopol to announce the Labor Government’s new Head Start Apprenticeships and Traineeships initiative, launching there next year.
The local schools delivering the Head Start initiative alongside Phoenix P-12 will include Mount Clear College, Ballarat High School and Ballarat Secondary College.
Head Start will deliver up to 1,700 new apprenticeships and traineeships at 100 secondary schools across Victoria – giving local students more support to study an apprenticeship or traineeship at school.
Students can stay at school an extra year to finish their VCAL, VCE and their apprenticeships while spending more time doing important, paid, on the job training.
Schools will get additional support and funding to help run Head Start. This includes a school-based Head Start coordinator to help deliver the initiative, providing employment and vocational pathway advice and one-on-one support to students.
The Victorian Budget 2018/19 provided $49.8 million to deliver Head Start, alongside $109 million to overhaul secondary school career education and $26 million to enhance vocational education in schools.
Head Start will provide apprenticeships targeted at priority industries and traditional trades like construction, defence and health, with enterprise apprenticeships and traineeships to be developed that target high technology areas needed for the jobs of tomorrow like coding.
The Labor Government’s Education State is making sure all students are supported to get a great education, stay in school and learn the skills they need for the future.
Quote attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino
“Every child, in every community deserves attention and support to succeed at school and beyond – which is exactly what we are delivering in Ballarat.”
Quote attributable to Member for Buninyong Geoff Howard
“We want all young Victorians who are learning a trade to be qualified and ready to work in areas where there are real job opportunities.”
Quote attributable to Member for Wendouree Sharon Knight
“Our record investment in education is making sure every student gets supported to develop the skills they need to succeed in their chosen career and in life.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020