School-based apprenticeships and traineeships allow students - typically Years 11 and 12 - to study for their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE), whilst at the same time undertaking government-approved and accredited training qualifications as paid employees.

Students not only receive their QCE, but they also train towards a qualification in their chosen career. This training may occur at work, school, or with a supervising registered training organisation such as MTA Institute of Technology.

Employment and/or training arrangements developed for the participant must impact on the student's school timetable for the program to be considered school-based.

For a school-based arrangement to be created, students must have the support of their employer, their school, a supervising registered training organisation, and their parents, when negotiating the Education, Training and Employment Schedule. This schedule documents when the student is at work, school and training and must be negotiated at the same time the training contract is signed.

Students who do not complete their apprenticeship or traineeship whilst at school are required to convert to full-time or part-time arrangements when they finish their final day at school. Once converted to full-time or part-time arrangements, appropriate award wages and conditions apply.