Apprenticeship and Traineeship Head Start Program

Work Experience

Introducing the Head Start Program

Master Builders NSW is proud to launch the Head Start Program, designed to introduce high school students to pre-vocational training and real employment pathways in the building and construction industry.

The program creates a direct link between schools, students and employers, helping young people gain practical skills while giving builders early access to enthusiastic, work-ready candidates.

The program commences Term 2, April (after the Easter break).

Why Get involved

This program relies on industry participation to succeed. By offering work experience, you are:

  • Supporting the future workforce of the construction industry

  • Connecting with students keen to start an apprenticeship or traineeship

  • Building a pipeline of potential apprentices for your business

  • Contributing to leadership development within your team

  • Strengthening your recruitment strategy with early engagement

Providing work experience is a practical way to give back to the industry while gaining motivated young talent in return.

Register your interest as a work experience provider

Name
Type of Work(Required)
Size of Company
Do you Currently Employ Apprentices(Required)
Have you had Work experience students in the past?(Required)
How many Work experience students can you accommodate?(Required)
Reason for your interest in work experience placements?(Required)
Preferred Time of Year(Required)
Are You a Member of Master Builders Association?(Required)

Frequently Asked Questions

The program is designed for NSW state high school students in Years 10, 11 and 12 who are interested in a career in building and construction and considering an apprenticeship or traineeship.
Employers are asked to provide three days of structured work experience for students who have completed the one-week pre-vocational training delivered by Master Builders NSW.
Yes. Insurance and indemnity provisions are covered by the NSW Department of Education for all approved workplace learning, including work experience placements.
Yes. Employers are supported by a Master Builders NSW Field Officer, who assists with coordination, placement support and any questions throughout the program.

The program will be delivered in state high schools located in:

  • Campbelltown

  • Blacktown

  • Liverpool

  • Parramatta

Places are limited.

The New Head Start Program commences in Term 2, April, after the Easter break.

Yes. Students may transition into:

  • A school-based apprenticeship

  • An apprenticeship

  • A traineeship

Employers may choose to engage students further following work experience.

Offering work experience allows you to:

  • Identify motivated future apprentices early

  • Support workforce development

  • Strengthen your recruitment pipeline

  • Contribute to leadership and mentoring within your team

What students gain

Students who complete the program gain:

  • Practical carpentry skills

  • Work Health and Safety (WHS) training

  • Career insights through an industry-focused presentation

  • 3-4 units of competency toward the Certificate III in Carpentry

  • A clear pathway into:

    • School-based apprenticeships

    • Apprenticeships

    • Traineeships

This early exposure helps students build confidence, workplace readiness and a clear understanding of construction careers.

For more information on work experience programs and workplace learning, visit the NSW Department of Education website.

Learn More

School Leaver Apprenticeship Program

Thank you for your interest in our Master Builders Programs. By filling out this online form a Master Builders recruitment team member will respond within 48 hours.
Name(Required)

Register Your Interest to Offer Work Experience Opportunities

Name
Type of Work(Required)
Size of Company
Do you Currently Employ Apprentices(Required)
Have you had Work experience students in the past?(Required)
How many Work experience students can you accommodate?(Required)
Reason for your interest in work experience placements?(Required)
Preferred Time of Year(Required)
Are You a Member of Master Builders Association?(Required)

Ready to talk now?

We will get back to you within one business day

Master Builders Programs

Thank you for your interest in our Master Builders Programs. By filling out this online form a Master Builders recruitment team member will respond within 48 hours.

Definitions

This document outlines the direct debit arrangements between Master Builders Association of NSW Pty Ltd, ABN 11 074 397 532 (MBANSW) and you.

MBANSW is the registered Group Training Organisation and Apprenticeship Services arm of Master Builders Association of New South Wales, ABN 96 550 042 906 (Master Builders)

“You”, “your” and “Host Employer” refer to you, your company and business nominated in the table below.

This document outlines the direct debit arrangements between MBANSW and you.

Direct Debit Terms and Conditions

  • Your nominated account or credit card will be debited weekly for hosting a MBAS or MBAS+ apprentice or trainee.
  • The first debit to your account will occur within 7 working days of the MBAS or MBAS+ apprentice or trainee commencing their placement with your business.
  • If an invoice payment is due on a non-business day, it will be debited from your account on the following business day.
  • Host Employer account information held by MBANSW will be kept confidential. Please note that some information is provided to the MBANSW financial institution to initiate the debit to your nominated account.
  • MBANSW will give you a minimum of 14 days’ notice in writing of changes to these Terms and Conditions.
  • If you wish to make changes to this arrangement, please contact MBANSW on (02) 8586 3533.

Your responsibility in this arrangement

  • Ensure that your nominated account can accept direct debits (your financial institution can confirm this).
  • Ensure there are sufficient cleared funds in the nominated account on the drawing date.
  • Advise MBANSW in writing if the nominated account is transferred or closed.


Please note that if your payment is dishonoured by your financial institution, a re-draw will take place within 7 days.

Any transaction fees payable by MBANSW in respect to a dishonoured payment will be added to your account.

Enquiries

Please direct all enquiries to MBAS (02) 8586 3533 or apprenticeship@mbansw.asn.au;

Please include your phone and email address.

I/We authorise MBANSW to arrange for funds to be debited from my/our nominated account at the financial institution identified below.

This authority to direct debit will remain in place in accordance with these Terms and Conditions.