VCAL at DSC - What is SBAT?

VCAL at DSC - What is the SBAT Program?

Have you ever wondered what DSC's School Based Apprenticeship or Traineeship (SBAT) program was about? Nerida Parsons from atEAST Team shares insights from her role supporting our VCAL students at DSC. 

As part of the atEAST Team my role is to visit Doncaster Secondary College on a weekly basis and speak with each of the students in the VCAL program currently undertaking their School Based Apprenticeship or Traineeship (SBAT).  

We also monitor the students at their RTO (TAFE) as well as visit them at their workplace for scheduled updates.  

Essentially we encourage the students to keep on track with their school and TAFE work and work their hardest in their workplaces.  We help mentor and guide the students throughout their SBAT, whilst part of the school setting.  

The SBAT program involves many moving parts and as a team we work with students, parents, schools, TAFEs and employers to ensure as much success as possible.  Sometimes we may appear harsh to the students, but we believe we are firm but fair. 

COVID-19 has certainly thrown up some challenges for everyone in 2020.  Like all, students they have had to navigate online learning with their school as well as online learning with their TAFE.  

There have been limited opportunities for students to attend their TAFE on campus to complete practical component of the units, which for most students has been very disappointing.  

The majority of the VCAL students thrive with hands-on learning.  To not be able to get in to TAFE and demonstrate what they have been learning in theory online has been a real let-down.  Students generally enjoy mixing with others from other schools and form friendships that last throughout their apprenticeship/traineeship and sometimes beyond. 

Some students' work placements have had to close this year, and this has also been not what they expected.  Most tradies have been able to continue, but as of this week’s stage 4 restrictions, some won’t be able to work until further notice.

The challenges in this role are generally associated with students’ engagement with school and their expectations.  Some feel that VCAL is an easy option, however they need to learn to juggle school, work and TAFE each week.  

When we meet them they know they want to gain their Intermediate (Year 11) and Senior (Year 12) VCAL Certificates, but they may not want to do the work required at school to achieve these outcomes.  

Most students love their places of work and love going to TAFE. School is usually their least favoured option.  Usually students come in to our program at the end Year 10 or start of Year 11, often not loving much about school.  

Most students move to either loving VCAL and being part of the action or knowing that VCAL is serving its purpose in their lives and they just need to knuckle down and get the required outcomes met.  Sometimes it’s a battle fought for the whole journey, but not too often. 

I love watching the growth and development of the students throughout this part of their lives.  We interview the students around September/October in Year 10. They are young, green and have no idea what they getting in to. They just know that they don’t want to do VCE, and generally have a working pathway in mind.  

Hopefully they have spent some time thinking about where they can see themselves working part-time for at least the next two years whilst they complete their formal secondary schooling.  

By the time they leave us the majority of students can’t wait to move into full-time work with their current employers, or move on to further study at TAFE or University.  Success for me is seeing the students leave our program with confidence, choices and real life experience. 

After speaking with the VCAL students who were at Doncaster this week, I feel that they are in a much better place moving back to online learning than they were last time.  

Last time there were a lot unknowns. This time we have a much clearer view of things.  Students understand how it works and have known expectations. I had many discussions with students about ways they can work differently this time as it may not have worked last time.  

Most were aware of their shortcomings last time and had good self-awareness and a plan of how they can make it work this time.

Nerida's Tips for Students

Mindset: Consider the days you are normally at school as school days: get up, have breakfast, have a shower and get dressed. Be ready and on time and be present. School days should not be seen as days to do extra part-time work.

Planning: Test any online platform you need to use if you haven’t used it before and make sure you have downloaded all the requirements. Negotiate any space you might need with family members who are working from home too.

Set up: Set up a space in the house that is just for doing online school work and TAFE work (not your bed). If you need to work in your bedroom, try and use a desk or find a suitable small table.

Outdoor time: Go outside at some stage during the day (recess time, lunch time etc) and get some fresh air.

Exercise:  Go for a walk, run, ride, walk the dog, meet a friend (stay 1.5m away) and wear your mask.

Food/water:  Eat well and drink lots of water.

Reward: Be sure to reward yourself for doing your work by finding some time just for you each day. Do something fun within the current rules.  Your walk might be your fun?  Talk to friends, family etc.  Watch your favourite show.

Get creative:  Find a new hobby? Take up knitting? Make some masks? Cook a cake? Cook dinner for the family? 

Stay connected: It is important to stay connected with your mates during this time. If you are working offline on Teams, you can connect with each other and just chat as you work… easy! Make sure you are checking your emails and responding to them. Respond to any text messages or calls from the atEAST Team.

Seek assistance:  Please sing out to someone if you need help with any online learning or any other challenges.  Don’t sit there in a scramble, reach out.

The atEAST Team and Doncaster Secondary are here to support you and get you through theses challenging times.  

We look forward to being able to see you in person again.  

Stay well, take care, stay home.

Nerida Parsons

atEAST Team