Occupation: Education and training

Location: Melbourne - Southern suburbs

Reference: 1543874

Selection Criteria

DE Values

Demonstrated ability to model and support colleagues to adopt behaviours and attitudes consistent with Department values. Demonstrated ability to reflect upon professional practice and engage in professional learning to continually improve program quality.

Communication

Data and digital skills

Demonstrated proficiency in the use of digital platforms and tools. Demonstrated ability to effectively input and manage program data in accordance with Department of Education policy, and to contribute to analysis of data to inform program practices.

Case management

Demonstrated exemplary case management skills. Demonstrated ability to monitor and evaluate student growth, identify appropriate cross-disciplinary supports and interventions to meet student needs, and develop learning goals to promote student agency.

Role

An exciting opportunity exists to join the Jobs, Skills and Pathways team, and support the delivery of the Head Start program in Victorian government schools.

About Head Start:

Head Start supports students in years 10 to 12 to participate in School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SBATs). SBATs develop skills, capabilities and confidence that employers in growth industries need. Head Start provides a range of supports to assist students to undertake an SBAT as part of their senior secondary education.

Head Start in 2027, 2028 and 2029:

The 2026-27 State Budget allocated $46 million over years 2027, 2028 and 2029 towards the Head Start program,



to support every Victorian government secondary school to access an effective model of SBAT support.

The Head Start model aims to increase year 12 completion rates and assist in addressing skill shortages to grow the Victorian economy, supporting all Victorian government school students that want to pursue an apprenticeship or traineeship to access an SBAT pathway aligned with their strengths and pathway aspirations. The model provides tailored supports to SBATs to simultaneously complete school and build skills they need to develop sustainable careers.

Head Start works with Victorian government schools to support students to:

- Identify and pursue sustainable apprenticeship and traineeship pathways
- Have access to required supports to undertake an SBAT aligned to their strengths and aspirations
- Be safe and supported in the workplace, complete school and progress to full-time apprenticeships or traineeships
- Pathway to available jobs that address Victorian skills gaps

About the Head Start SBAT Support Officer role:

The role of the Head Start SBAT Support Officer is to provide tailored assistance to Victorian government school students exploring or undertaking an SBAT. This involves direct case-management of students, providing them with accurate and unbiased information about SBATs, evaluating their readiness to commence an SBAT,



and using student insights to effectively pair them with a potential SBAT employer. Working closely with the area Jobs, Skills and Pathways Manager (JSPM), and Head Start Delivery Coordinator (HDC), the role supports individual students and schools to effectively navigate the Apprenticeship and Traineeship system to achieve positive SBAT outcomes. The role is also responsible for input of quality data to monitor program delivery and supporting SBAT employers to provide protected and supportive workplaces for students, including identifying and responding to emerging workplace issues and risks.

The successful applicant will demonstrate an understanding of:

- Vocational and applied learning,
- Apprenticeship/traineeship systems, and/or
- VET from an industry or school perspective

With an understanding of any of the following being highly desirable:

- Senior secondary school context, and/or
- Assessment of student readiness to undertake an SBAT; and/or
- SBAT context
- Role of industry in apprenticeships/traineeships or SBATs
- Youth support programs/services

The successful applicant will demonstrate skills and experience in:

- Case management (planning and review, risk management and problem solving)
- Data and digital literacy
- Stakeholder management and communication skills
- Professional judgement and accountability
- Adaptability, flexibility and reliability
- Initiative and contribution to workplace culture
- Working with young people/student centred approaches

Role conditions

- Role location is area-based but specific work locati

📌 Head Start School Based Apprenticeship and Traineeship (Melbourne)
🏢 Victorian Government
📍 Melbourne