Home >> Get involved at high school

What can I do to prepare while I am still at school?

  1. Get some work experience: 

    Work experience is a great way to gain valuable experience and insight into an apprenticeship or traineeship occupation you are interested in. Getting some work experience also demonstrates that you have initiative and this will help to impress the interviewer.

    Work experience gives you:

    • hands on experience
    • some ideas on how much you like the work
    • a valuable addition to your resume
    • a chance of being offered employment in the future.

    Even if you are not offered an apprenticeship or traineeship job directly following your work experience, your employer may be willing to act as a referee or may know other potential employers.

  2. Does your school offer industry-accredited vocational and technical education (VTE) subjects:

    Many schools offer industry-accredited vocational and technical education (VTE) subjects. These count towards your apprenticeship or traineeship qualification, as well as towards your senior secondary certificate of education.

  3. Get involved in school based apprenticeships or traineeships:

    Senior high school students are able to start some apprenticeship trades or complete a traineeship qualification while at school. As a school based apprentice/trainee, you'll be paid while being trained - and both your on-the-job and off-the-job training can contribute to your HSC. What's more, since you'll already have a job and have started your training, you'll be qualified quicker.

    If you are a school based apprentice, you will go to school and work part-time and do the first year of the four year apprenticeship. You will complete the second, third and fourth year after you leave school. Some trades are only a 3 year term so you will complete the second and third year after leaving school.

    If you are a school based trainee, you will go to school and work part-time and complete your formal training at TAFE or with a similar organisation, or even your own school, by the end of your HSC year.

  4. Keep good records and keep important documents:

    Keep a summary of what you have done in your life, in study, work and other life experiences.

    • school activities
    • achievements in out-of-school activities
    • school certificates
    • course results
    • certificates or qualifications
    • awards
    • references

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