The School to Work program supports students to access meaningful work-based learning opportunities, helping them develop employability skills and make informed decisions about their future pathways. 

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Funded by the Victorian Government,  the North Central LLEN delivers a program that works closely with local employers, industry partners and schools to improve access to high-quality work-based learning across the region.  

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Through strong partnerships, School to Work helps bridge the gap between education and employment, connecting students with real-world experiences that support successful transitions beyond school. 

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Work-based learning opportunities supported through the program include 

•  work experience 

• structured workplace learning 

• school-based apprenticeships and traineeships,  

• workplace visits and industry tours 

• Life skills programs and work-readiness activities.  

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These opportunities allow students to engage directly with workplaces and gain practical insight into a wide range of industries. 

Participation in work-based learning helps students understand how their education prepares them for work, learn employer expectations, develop employability and life skills, and make informed pathway and career decisions.  

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These experiences also play an important role in supporting students to stay engaged with, and complete, their secondary schooling. 

Some work-based learning opportunities are undertaken as part of vocational education and training (VET) programs. VET can be completed as part of the Victorian Certificate of Education, including the VCE Vocational Major, or the Victorian Pathways Certificate. 

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Head Start is a program that supports students in years 10-12 to participate in a school-based apprenticeship and traineeship (SBAT) program to develop skills, capabilities and confidence that employers in growth industries need. SBAT students receive paid on-the-job training that contributes to their VCE, VCE Vocational Major or VPC and leads to a qualification. The North Central LLEN provides this support for the Loddon Mallee Hub to students across this region. 

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Schools, students and employers can find and promote work-based learning opportunities through the School to Work Portal. School staff and students can search for opportunities by location, industry or course, while employers from all industries can partner with LLENs to publish opportunities and connect with young people across the region.