Throughout Years 9 to 12, opportunities to undertake vocational education courses, an Australian School-based Apprenticeship (ASBA) and work experience can help you decide on a possible occupation that may interest you. Attending career information sessions at your school, the careers market expo and the Post School Options Expo for people with a disability enables you to further develop your knowledge of careers, services and providers in your region.
Vocational Education and Training (VET) in the ACT
VET is about helping people become ready for work. Vocational courses are designed to provide knowledge and skills relevant to a particular area of employment and to further education and training. Vocational education involves courses that:
- are developed for students to meet the needs and standards of industry (employers)
- are competency based that is, students demonstrate their skills in the workplace (or simulated workplace) environment
- may have a period of 'on the job' training with an employer
- can count towards the Year 12 Certificate, have national recognition and provide pathways to further education and employment.
Students who undertake Vocational courses:
- gain practical work related skills that employers recognise
- gain credit transfer and/or advanced standing into other training courses
- gain a nationally recognised vocational qualification and/or Year 12 Certificate
- make valuable contacts with employers
- try out a possible career choice before finishing Year 12
- prepare themselves for the world of work
Colleges and private registered training organisations have developed programs that will help young people in acquiring the skills and knowledge to become 'work ready'. VET Courses are available in a range of areas, see your career advisor or VET coordinator in your school to discuss your opportunities.
Additional Information
http://www.det.act.gov.au/services/vetis.htm
www.det.act.gov.au/services/TrainingApprentice.htm
Australian School-based Apprenticeship (ASBA)
Australian School-based Apprenticeships were formerly known as the School Based New Apprenticeship Program (SNAP). An Australian School-based Apprenticeship is an extension of the Vocational education program. An Australian School-based Apprenticeship involves the employment of a young person who is undertaking a traineeship part-time while still attending school or college and is enrolled in a program leading to a senior secondary certificate. It provides a pathway to further training in a chosen field.
Students can participate in an Australian School-based Apprenticeship program during their school years 9 to 12, provided they are 15 years or over. The duration of an Australian School-based Apprenticeship is usually 18 - 24 months. Students must remain at school or college after entering into a training contract, but are required to attend structured workplace training on a regular basis, for which the student is paid. A minimum on-the-job training of one working day per week and a minimum of three hours off-the-job training per week at a Registered Training Organisation are required.
Successful completion of an Australian School-based Apprenticeship enables the student to achieve a nationally recognised qualification (usually Certificate II) that will also count as part of the student's Year 12 School Certificate and a component of further industry training.
Additional Information
http://www.det.act.gov.au/services/TrainingASBAPP.htm
www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au/student/school-based.asp
Student to Industry Program (SIP)
The Student to Industry Program (SIP) was established in 1997. It centrally co-ordinates vocational placement requests from students in ACT colleges and facilitates the growth of Australian School-based Apprenticeships in the ACT by sourcing students for vacancies that exist within industry.
Currently the Student to Industry program co-ordinates vocational placements across many industry areas including traditional trades as well developing areas such as Information Technology, Business Studies, Retail, and Community Services.
The Student to Industry Program (SIP) in the ACT also provides additional programs to fulfil its Career Advice Australia Career & Transition Support obligations. These programs include:
- Expert on Tap
- My Future
- SIP Trips
- Work Ready
For more information you can talk to your school or college VET/ASBA coordinator, career advisor or contact Student to Industry Program.
Lyons Education Centre, 67 Launceston Street, LYONS ACT 2606
PO Box 5714, LYONS ACT 2606
Phone: 6205 8465
Fax: 6205 8460
Email:
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www.sip.net.au/
Work Experience
Work Experience is a short-term, unpaid placement in the workplace as a learner and an observer. Work Experience is available to students aged 14 years and over although consideration is given to a student's readiness to do work experience in terms of their vocational development and their social and emotional maturity.
There are many benefits gained from participating in a Work Experience placement. Students will be able to:
- test tentative career choices against the realities of the workplace
- gain insight into aspects of life in the working world
- develop a network of contacts for future employers
- enhance their self esteem through acquiring a new range of skills associated with the workplace
- gain valuable information to guide curriculum choices and transition planning
- understand what supports and accommodations will be required to support them in an employment setting
Contact the Work Experience Coordinator or Careers Advisor in your school for more information. In schools that provide special education programs contact the special education coordinator for information on work experience.
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