Gippsland › Latest news › Gippsland Water

Gippsland Water supports local student through school-based apprenticeship in conservation and ecosystem management

Gippsland Water is supporting future careers by welcoming its first SBAT student, Xavier, who's gaining hands-on experience, formal training, and a Certificate III in Conservation and Ecosystem Management.

By news@gippsland - 19th June 2025 - Back to News

Gippsland Water is helping shape tomorrow's workforce by giving a local high school student an opportunity to get a head start on his career through the school-based apprenticeship/traineeship (SBAT) program. Year 11 Kurnai College student Xavier began his career in the Environment and Healthy Country team as the organisation's first member of the SBAT program.

Gippsland Water is giving students, like Xavier, pictured with Learning and Development Advisor Danielle, the opportunity to get hands on working experience while in high school

Careers begin here

Managing director Sarah Cumming said school-based apprenticeships and traineeships were a terrific initiative to give students a head start on their careers. "We're creating opportunities for local students to get hands-on experience while completing their studies. Students undertaking a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship spend one day of paid employment at Gippsland Water, one day at TAFE and three days at school over the course of a week."

"This program provides academic credit towards the student's secondary certificate, combining on-the-job training with formal learning. In his position, Xavier will gain valuable work experience on top of a nationally recognised qualification, the Certificate III in Conservation and Ecosystem Management," Ms Cumming said.

Pathways through experience

Xavier completed Year 10 work experience at Gippsland Water last year. "I thoroughly enjoyed work experience in Year 10 and was extremely grateful for the experience and information I gained during my time there. During my work experience, I found a real interest in the day-to-day tasks that Gippsland Water covers. They were also extremely welcoming, and the workplace as a whole was a really positive experience."

Xavier said he had already noticed professional and personal growth since starting an SBAT at Gippsland Water. "I think I've already gained critical workplace experience, as well as personal growth with being independent and learning how to manage my own time and priorities," Xavier said.

Xavier hopes to gain full time employment once he completes Year 12 and his Certificate III in Conservation and Ecosystem Management. For more information on school-based apprenticeships and traineeships, visit the careers tab at Gippsland Water website.

Pictures from Gippsland Water website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com