School to Work
This program creates work-based learning opportunities for school students, so they can explore careers, develop employability skills and make informed career choices.
On this page
- Work-based learning
- Find work-based learning opportunities
- Local Learning and Employment Networks
- Policies and guidance
The Department of Education funds the School to Work program, delivered by Local Learning and Employment Networks (LLENs).
As program providers, LLENs work with local employers, industry partners and schools to improve access to work-based learning.
The Victorian Government has committed to make School to Work more efficient and effective. Have your say on how we can improve support for work-based learning through the Engage Victoria website.
Work-based learning
‘Work-based learning’ describes learning about work, often through being in a workplace. It helps students to:
- understand how their education prepares them for work
- understand workplace expectations
- develop employability skills
- explore career options
- make informed pathway and career decisions
- stay engaged with and complete secondary schooling.
School to Work helps create opportunities for school students to do 3 kinds of work-based learning:
- Work experience: Time in a workplace for job shadowing or doing supervised light work. Work experience is different to having a job. The main goal of work experience is to learn about work. Work experience can be in a block of days (for example, one week) or individual days over a longer time (one day a week).
- Structured workplace learning: Time in a workplace to gain specific skills for a Vocational Education and Training (VET) certificate while in a workplace. These placements help young people link the skills they are building to real work.
- Group learning activities with employers**:** Employer visits or presentations at schools, or excursions where multiple students visit workplaces. These could include presentations, demonstrations, tours, ‘tasters’ or career expos.
Government schools receive support to arrange school-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SBATs) from the Head Start program. LLENs work with Head Start hubs to support work-based learning for government school students.
Find work-based learning opportunities
School staff and students can use the School to Work Portal to search for opportunities.
Employers from all industries work with LLENs to publish opportunities on the portal.
You can search for opportunities by location, industry or course.
Local Learning and Employment Networks
LLENs are independent organisations that support employers, local education and training providers, businesses, industry groups and community agencies to connect with schools
There are 31 LLENs operating in Victoria. You can find the location and contact information of your nearest LLEN on the School to Work Portal’s LLEN List.
To learn more about the work LLENs do, visit the VicLLENs website.
Policies and guidance
- Work experience | Policy and Advisory Library
- Structured workplace learning | Policy and Advisory Library
- School-based apprenticeships and traineeships | Policy and Advisory Library
Updated 26 March 2026
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