Like all of us, The Department of Employment, Small Business and Training (DESBT) is aware a range of direct and indirect impacts are being experienced by some businesses as a result of Coronavirus (COVID-19). Changes are being announced daily and employers will continually be advised by the government on the latest workplace guidelines and rulings

What happens with my child’s SBA during the Coronavirus period?

Employers and SBA students will need to follow the governments guidelines during this time e.g. (social distancing and self-isolation if applicable, etc) our SBA students will come under one of the below status

1. Active - with both on and off the job training commitments. SBA students and employers are able to continue the SBA commitment and the training contract will continue to be active. Off the job training with the Supervised Registered Training Organisation SRTO will continue provided the SRTO can meet the COVID19 guidelines
2. Suspended – an employer may need to suspend the training contract for a period of time, however in the latest announcement on 30.03.2020 DESBT outlined training with SRTO can still continue during a suspension period dependent upon an SRTO being able to deliver a service if they are still operating. All training costs will continue to be covered by the Queensland Government. This latest change may provide our current SBA students the opportunity to continue working on units with their SRTO.  Provided students meet the competencies standards of assessment outlined by the SRTO students may be eligible to continue accruing QCE points.
3. Cancellation – only if an employer is unable to suspend a training contract is a cancellation to proceed

DESBT head office have advised that if students have their SBA suspended, they will look at hours worked, and hours needed by the student to complete the minimum work hour requirements for qualification once the business re-activates the training contract.   If not completed by the end of Year 12 all training contract will be converted to full/part time until completion is achieved as per current arrangements.

If my child’s SBA is suspended what does she/he do now they are not required to attend work on a school day?

Students whose SBA’s have been suspended will be able to continue working on units with their SRTO (if applicable) and will need to return to school until the suspension is lifted. (Schools will provide further detail on their requirements based on their own guidelines)

The SBA workday will now become a school day during the suspended period

In the event that schools are online in Term 2, please be advised that students may be required to attend on-line classes 5 days per week.

Who do I speak to at the school to review my child’s subjects now that they are unable to attend work and need to attend school 5 days?

Students will need to speak to (insert school SBA coordinator or contact person details) to review their subjects and look at options on an individual basis.

My student has nearly completed their school-based traineeship however they have had their traineeship suspended, what happens now?

As you are aware students participating in a School based traineeship will receive 2 Certificates when successfully completed.  One Certificate, from the SRTO, to confirm units are completed off the job and a second Certificate from DESBT to confirm student has demonstrated competencies on the job and met the minimum paid working requirements.

DESBT head office have advised that there will be no changes to the minimum paid working requirements for SBA’s at this time. Students will continue working with their SRTO and submit final units for marking. Once the SRTO has finalised the units they will issue results for units completed off the job. DESBT will review these completions on an individual basis and take into consideration the on the job hours that have been completed, and the competencies demonstrated on the job

When my child started their SBA they took on the Trade Support Loan. What happens if they are suspended?

School Based Apprentices that have their training contract suspended and have opted in to the ‘Trade Support Loan Payments’ are strongly encouraged to contact their ASSN as they will have to ‘opt out’ of the trade support loan during suspension period

If my child’s SBA has been suspended will they still achieve their Queensland Certificate of Education?

It is important that all SBA students that have their SBA suspended arrange a meeting with (insert school SBA coordinator or contact person details) to review their subjects and look at options on an individual basis.  Students are also able to access their QCAA learning account to review their points to date.

What happens when the suspension of the training contract is lifted, and my child can return to their SBA?

Advise the school immediately so negotiations and arrangements to attend work can be put in place immediately. The training contract will then be activated

Evidence of hours worked prior to suspending training contract

It is important that SBA students continue to keep a record of the hours worked which will be required at completion. 

In the event that schools are online in Term 2, please be advised that SBA students are not to increase their number of workdays. These are to stay the same as if the student was at school. If changes are required, workdays must be negotiated through the school

All SBA students/parents are requested to email (insert school SBA coordinator or contact person details)  if they have been advised their SBA has been suspended so an individual review of their subjects can take place.  The school will then notify Toowoomba Catholic Schools; School Based Apprenticeship Manager so they can monitor the progress of learning with SRTO for each student  

Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) – All students are encouraged to contact their AASN representative if there training contract has been suspended or cancelled. Your representative will be able to answer any additional queries that the SBA student or parent may have.

The Toowoomba Catholic Schools: School Based Apprenticeships team will continue to support SBA students and schools.

Karen Coulston School-Based Apprenticeships: Manager

Diocese of Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office

PHONE 07 46874 351  ADDRESS PO Box 813, Toowoomba Qld 4350

SITE ADDRESS 29-33 Lawrence Street, Toowoomba Qld 4350

EMAIL karen.coulston@twb.catholic.edu.au WEB www.twb.catholic.edu.au

‘Building Community Partnerships through School-Based Apprenticeships’