Trade schools

Trade schools offer senior secondary school students a broad range of vocational training opportunities. These include part time apprenticeships and part time traineeships. Trade schools offer students the opportunity to finish their HSC, earn a part time training wage and work their way towards a nationally recognised TAFE qualification.

Trade schools are an initiative of the NSW Government.

At Trade Schools you can:

• combine your HSC studies with vocational training
• potentially achieve an ATAR (UAI) at Randwick Vocational College
• gain valuable work skills and experience while still at school
• earn while you learn – undertake a minimum of 100 days paid employment while studying
• obtain nationally recognised skills
• work in industry areas with strong career prospects
• get a head start in your career
• potentially earn high wages
• use your studies as a pathway to further education and gain credit towards further study
• study within a supportive environment.

Our three trade schools, located at Randwick, St George and Sutherland, offer training in different vocational areas.

Randwick Vocational College

Randwick Vocational College specialises in:

• Construction Trades
• Children’s Services
• and other Vocational streams.
  

Contact Randwick Vocational College.

St George Trade School

St George Trade School specialises in:

• Automotive
• Electrotechnology
• Nursing.

Contact St George Trade School.

Sutherland Trade School

Sutherland Trade School specialises in:

• Carpentry and Joining
• Electrotechnology
• Hospitality
• Plumbing.

Contact Sutherland Trade School.

Trade schools offer you the chance to undertake a school-based apprenticeship (SBA) or a school-based traineeship (SBT).  In addition, Randwick Vocational College offers a full HSC qualification combined with Vocational specialisations.

Apprentices

If you are an apprentice you will complete the equivalent of the first year of a Certificate III trade course and continue your apprenticeship training once you graduate from school.

Trainees

If you are a trainee you will complete Certificate II or III AQF qualifications in your traineeship area while still at school.

Additional information

For more information about school based apprenticeships and traineeships, visit the NSW Department of Education and Training's trade schools site or contact our trade schools.