Head Start

Head Start is a new and flexible approach to apprenticeships and traineeships for school students. 

Designed in consultation with industry, the program helps students kickstart their career by developing the hands-on skills and experience that employers need. Students spend more time doing valuable, paid, on-the-job training while completing their VCE at school.

Head Start students generally undertake one day a week paid employment in Year 10, two days a week in Year 11, and three days a week in Year 12 (which can be completed over two years).  

There are 12 clusters of participating schools across Victoria working to deliver Head Start in partnership with employers and training providers.

A female electrician learning from an instructor at work

The Head Start program ensures:

  • Strong support for students and employers
  • Quality training through TAFEs and Skills First contracted providers
  • Career pathways for students into priority industries
  • Payment of training wage in line with the Fair Work Act
  • Completion of a trade qualification, or significant progress towards that goal
Group of medical students and teacher sitting on a stair
Inclusion flag

We acknowledge the Traditional Aboriginal Owners of Country throughout Victoria and pay our respects to them, their connections to land, sea, and community. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and future Traditional Owners.

We respect and welcome people of all backgrounds, genders, sexualities, abilities and cultures.

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