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. 

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Head Start teams are based in 12 school-based hubs across Victoria and provide wrap-around support for SBAT students. The North Central LLEN provides this support for the Loddon Mallee Hub to students across this region. 
 
Each student completing an SBAT with HeadStart receives: 

• career planning advice from their school career practitioner to find the right pathway 

• a plan for their pathway into a priority industry career, tailored to their specific needs and the needs of their employer  

• one-on-one support from a Head Start coordinator to keep them on the right track 

• quality-assured training through TAFEs and Skills First providers 

• a secondary certificate such as the VCE, VCE Vocational Major or VPC 

• completion or significant progress towards a qualification such as a Certificate III or IV 

• payment of a fair training wage. 

 

Getting started with HeadStart: 
Students can join the Head Start program by talking to their school’s career practitioner, who will connect them with their Head Start team.  
 
The student, their parent and employer sign a training contract, and the student completes a training plan with a registered training organisation. 
 
Depending on employer and student needs, Head Start can support students to increase their hours of paid employment as they progress through their studies. For example, a student might have paid employment for: 

• One day per week in Year 10 

• 2 days per week in Year 11 

• 2-3 days per week in Year 12