Pathways 

Head Start 

We are excited to announce the Head Start model has arrived at VSC offering secondary school students the opportunity to do on the job training that leads to a qualification whilst completing their studies at school.  Head Start is designed to give students the confidence, capabilities and skills that employers in growth industries need. 

The Head Start program recognises students learn in different ways, have different passions and empower their own career choices. 

Head Start students receive: 

• Career planning advice from VSC career practitioners to find the right pathway 
• A Head Start pathway plan is tailored to the specific needs of the student and the employer 
• One-on-one support from a Department of Education Head Start Coordinator to keep students on the right track 
• Quality assured training through TAFE’s and Skills First contracted providers 
• A Secondary certificate such as the VCE, VCE Vocational Major or VPC 
• Significant progress towards or completion of a trade qualification
• Payment of a fair training wage 
• A tailored pathway into a priority industry career 

Head Start provides supports for students whilst they undertake a school-based apprenticeship, traineeship across a range of key industries including building, construction, community services, health, business, technology, and primary industries.  

Head Start matches students with employers that have genuine workforce needs and helps employers to build their future workforce. 

Students undertake a work trial to make sure the placement suits all parties.  Depending on the employer and student needs a Head Start apprentice or trainee can increase their hours of paid employment as they progress their studies.  For example a student might have employment for:  

one day per week in Year 10 

2 days a week in Year 11  

2-3 days per week in Year 12  

Head Start apprentices and trainees are able to work at their place of employment on weekends and in the school holidays and depending on the stage of their training plan, can transition into full time apprenticeship or traineeship once they leave school.  

Year 12 may be completed over 2 years if required on a reduced subject load. 

Head Start also supports students in their first year post-secondary school, to help the transition into full time training and employment an easier process. 

If you interested in discussing the Head Start program more and would like to meet with the regional Head Start Coordinator please contact Pathways.  We encourage families to watch the Head Start compilation video  

https://vimeo.com/543441634/d0542cc9d8 

Certificates & Traineeships add value to the VCE  

 All accredited external VCE subjects such as Dance, Drama and Languages contribute to the VCE.  Students  need to present the Assessing School Notification Form to Pathways for enrolment on VASS the VCE software program.  

Additionally some work certificates and traineeships in Retail, Hospitality and Sports Coaching undertaken as part employment can often provide credits towards the VCE.  Students studying a certificate or traineeship via a training plan in their workplace such as McDonalds, KFC, Hungry Jacks etc are encouraged to bring in the completed certificate or training plan to have added to VAS.    

Year 10 Pathways > Careers Fast Track (CFT) 

All Year 10 students have been sent an email and teams message with a link to complete some quick and easy career-life quizzes; forming part of the Year 10 Personal Learning and Career pathways plan. Parents/Carers please encourage your child to complete the quizzes asap to assist in planning the individual counselling sessions.    

The CFT program forms part of the Year 10 student’s personal learning and career pathway plan and will tell students heaps of information about:  

Their preference for further study 

Preference for Career and Work 

How to learn & study more effectively to get the best from your education 

The quizzes fall into the following categories:  

> Employability 

> Job Interview  

> Learn ability 

> Learning & Career Pathway 

> Learning styles  

> Pathway validation & portfolio  

This activity is part of a 3 stage process and must be completed sequentially.  It is very different from the Year 9 Morrisby program which focused on individual aptitude.   The two programs create a more holistic individual pathways plan enabling future planning and goal setting. 

Stage 1 - completion of quizzes to create student portfolio 

Stage 2 - read and refine Careers Fast Track portfolio 

Stage 3 - 1:1 counselling session Semester one to assist choosing the right VCE pathway & subjects  

To get started copy and paste the highlighted link below into your web browser. On the registration page complete the "My Personal Details" section only then submit.   Start with the first quiz and ensure a tick is recorded against each completed quiz on the main page before moving to the next quiz. 

http://asp2.careersfasttrack.com.au/Assessments/Enrol.aspx?id=EslTrVyQaqY%3d&quizid=1,2,3,4,5,6,7,9 

Work Experience 

 Work experience participation is optional at VSC, however we strongly encourage all students aged 15yrs+ to get involved in this very beneficial and rewarding program. Students can undertake Work Experience every year until they graduate VSC. 

Work experience provides young people with a taste of the real world of work and a clearer understanding of a particular industry, field or business they may be interested in pursuing in the future.  It assists in career discovery and exploration, goal setting and decision making whilst preparing students for VCE or VCAL, future tertiary studies, apprenticeship/traineeships or full time work. 

There are no designated time frames for students to complete placements as we believe a flexible delivery arrangement provides students with a better opportunity to meet the availability and operational time frames of businesses and industries within the community.  

This also means we are not competing with other local schools which can limit student’s placement opportunities.   

Placement dates are arranged through consultation and negotiation between the employer, school and student to maximise the experience.  

Drop into Pathways to discuss further and collect the ‘Preparing for the Workplace’ pack.   

Employment Opportunities

Work > students must be in Years 10 or 11 

Local Chemist looking for a mature and reliable local student able to work from  4pm – 7pm 2 nights during the week plus 10am – 2pm on alternate weekends.   Students will work within the sales team and pharmacist. 

Apprenticeships > students must be 18yrs and have their drivers licence 

Commercial Refrigeration apprenticeship available located in Scoresby   

Carpentry apprenticeship available for family business in Wheelers Hill 

Pathways Website – www.vscpathways.com 

Did you know VSC has its own careers website?  It’s a ‘One Stop Shop’ for everything you need to assist with Career planning, research, information and help, available 24 hours a day.    

To access the website please click on the link vscpathways.com or go to the VSC website and click on the Pathways tab.   

Features include:

• Latest news and events 
• Senior school options 
• Work experience and OH&S in the workplace 
• VET – Vocational Education and Training 
• University Admissions requirements through 
• VTAC 

Career Development is the lifelong process of managing life, learning and work (paid and unpaid) over our lifespan.  The ability to make informed decisions, manage and transition through change for a personally determined future. 

Young people build their career development through self-awareness; understanding how they make decisions and how these decisions impact future aspirations through exploration, identifying interests, values and preferred learning styles through careers exploration activities such as Morrisby in Year 9 and Careers Fast Track in Year 10.  

The ability to research a wide range of career options helping them to select subjects they may enjoy learning whilst aligning to tertiary course pre-requisite requirements in the future or apprenticeship/traineeship requirements and work.   

Career development is further enhanced by juggling the expectations and requirements of school with extra-curricular activities like sport and family responsibilities, part-time work, community involvement and social interests.  

To further assist your Career Development please visit vscpathways.com an easy to use interface with links to a multitude of career resources for both Students and Parents.  

We encourage all VSC students and their families to explore the Pathways website to assist in making positively informed decisions about their future.  

VU Sport Coaching Opportunities April School Holidays

The VU Holiday Sports Program is looking to recruit new coaches for the April sports program.  This program is suitable for students aged 16 years + looking for work over the school holiday break and may lead to ongoing work each school holidays. 

The VU School Holiday Sports Program runs a range of sports such as soccer, basketball, netball and AFL and multisport during the school holidays.  The program is aimed at children aged 5-12 years and is a great opportunity for young adults to explore the coaching and teaching world.

Program dates:  

Tuesday 11th April - Friday 14th

Monday 17th April - Friday 21st April

Students are not expected to be available every day of the program and must be willing to obtain a working with children's check, First Aid and CPR certificate. For more information contact:  Email: sportscamps@vu.edu.au       Phone: 9919 4460                            https://www.vu.edu.au/school-holiday-sports-programs

Find what careers suits you & course discovery 

Interactive Career bullseyes Gap Year 

Resume creation & finding a job 

Youth allowance and money matters 

Informative career videos plus lots more to help individual career development. 

Stay Safe.  Stay Well.  Stay Connected. 

VSC Pathways Team