More Victorian school students will be able to secure work placements and on-the job training experience, backed by the Andrews Labor Government.

Minister for Education Natalie Hutchins today announced the School to Work program, which will work in partnership with 31 Local Learning and Employment Networks (LLENs) to help secondary students gain work placements in their local area.

Schools will be supported to match the right student with the right opportunity – including school-based apprenticeships and traineeships – to build a pathway into local jobs in growing industries.

The program will also help schools engage with businesses to better prepare students for successful transitions into the workforce.

School to Work forms part of the Labor Government’s senior secondary school reforms, combining VCE and VCAL to create a single pathway, ensuring every young Victorian can get the education they need for the job they want.

The Government has invested $315.5 million in senior secondary schooling reforms since 2018, to support students to gain the skills and experience needed for their chosen careers and allow them to pursue an education aligned to their strengths, interests and aspirations.

It comes in addition to the $69.4 million in funding allocated to expand the Head Start program to every government school in the state – giving more students the opportunity to do an apprenticeship or traineeship in an in-demand sector while completing their schooling.