VET and Careers News

Careers Information Bulletin – Something for Everyone!

There are so many fantastic and current career opportunities found in our fortnightly ‘Careers Information Bulletin’. Read the latest edition in the PDF here:

Careers News

Brisbane University Showcase Coming to Marist College Ashgrove

Before School Thursday 13 March

The Brisbane University Showcase is coming to Marist College Ashgrove on Thursday, 13 March 2025, in the Draney Theatre. The event will commence with an expo-style session for Years 10-12 in the foyer, followed by a special presentation for Year 12 students at 8:30am in the auditorium.

This event is a valuable opportunity to explore your post-school options and gain insights into tertiary study.

Expo for Years 10-12 will run from 8:00am-8:30am. Students will have the opportunity to speak directly with representatives from a variety of universities and training providers, including:

• University of Queensland
• Bond University
• Queensland University of Technology
• James Cook University
• University of Southern Queensland
• Australian Catholic University (ACU)
• Southern Cross University
• Griffith University
• University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC)
• Central Queensland University (CQU)
• University of Tasmania
• TAFE
• University of Canberra (in partnership with TAFE)

The Year 12 presentation will run from 8:30am-9:15am and will cover key topics, including:

• The benefits of tertiary study
• Course fees
• Scholarships
• Managing university life
• How to apply for university

This session will be highly interactive, encouraging you to think critically about your future, ask questions and engage with the topics presented.

We strongly encourage all Senior School students to attend and take full advantage of this opportunity to explore their future study and career pathways. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

We look forward to seeing you there!

University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) Preparation

Our senior students have been meeting regularly to work on preparation for the UCAT examination, which is one of the criteria for most medicine and dentistry courses. Last week, we were blessed to have four MCA Old Boys join us to share their advice, wisdom and knowledge. Thank you so much to Alem Fitzgerald from the Class of 2023 and Max Bathersby, Hugh Irwin and Harrison Dyer from the Class of 2024.

VET

Opportunity for Year 10 Students

The Year 10 Trade Taster Program allows eligible high school students to try out a trade without needing to commit to a full qualification or apprenticeship. Students get to see if a trade is the right option for them, or test out a potential career path. The Year 10 Trade Taster Program delivers training to small groups of 14 students, one day per week for seven weeks. Throughout the program, students get to try three different trade areas as well as having the opportunity to complete their Construction Industry Safety White Card.

All classes run from 8:00am to 3:45pm. Student attendance is expected for the entirety of the program. Signing up and failing to attend for the entirety will place students at risk of not being offered a place in a future TAFE at School Program. 

What sort of trades are on offer?

Each of our training centres offers different trades. Each group will be a set mix of three trades. Students will not be able to pick and choose their trades but will undertake all trades that are in their assigned group. 

Students who apply for these courses should be:

1. wanting to follow a VET Pathway
2. able to get to the courses on the given days (strongly suggest Bracken Ridge – it is the closest campus)
3. able to show maturity and have a high level of behaviour and achievement in their classes to date.

Students who apply will be reviewed as to their suitability before the College gives their approval.

Please note: 

• This program is subsidised by the Queensland Government and is offered at no cost. 
• This program is only available to:
• Year 10 students (regardless of age). Students in other year levels are not eligible to undertake the program, regardless of their age.
• Students enrolled in a Queensland high school or enrolled with a registered home schooling provider
• Students who reside in Queensland
• Students who are not currently enrolled into a VETiS funded qualification

How to Apply

Applications open Wednesday 19 March at 9:00am

NB: Prior to applying, you must:

1. attend a meeting with Mrs Gooley in Room 406 during P3 on Wednesday 12 March, and
2. complete an Expression of Interest Form at the meeting

To submit an application for the Year 10 Trade Taster Program, students will need to:

1. Go to tafeapply.com
2. Enter the application code of TQST25TT (please note – the application code will not work until applications open at 9:00am on Wednesday 19 March)
3. Please see an email sent out on Sunday afternoon for the attachment that will guide students with the information required ‘Trade Taster Application Questions.’

Please note that last year, this program filled within 15 minutes. If interested, I strongly suggest that you are on the tafeapply.com website at 9:00am.

This year, there are a total of 1512 places:

• Acacia Ridge - 588 places
  • Alexandra Hills - 252 places
  • Bracken Ridge - 672 places

Students require a USI number to complete an application. If they do not have a USI, they can create one at https://www.usi.gov.au/ for free. You just need a Medicare Card or other form of identification. I would encourage you to use a personal email address and not a school one. You will have this USI number for life. Have the USI created and ready before application day. You will not be able to submit an application without a legitimate USI number. 

This is a great opportunity if you are considering a Trade in the future and are not currently enrolled in a VETiS program.

N.B. If you are already doing a construction or engineering subject, you will be doing above and beyond what is offered in this course. It would not be of any benefit to apply for these two areas.

2025 Brisbane Careers and Employment Expo/WorldSkills National Championships

Exciting News! School Registration is now open for The Brisbane Careers and Employment Expo - Thursday 12, Friday 13 and Saturday 14 June 2025 at the Brisbane Convention Centre. 

The event will once again offer free admission and will run for 3 days, allowing schools the flexibility to schedule their excursions on either Thursday or Friday!

The event will be even bigger in 2025 with the WorldSkills National Championships running alongside the Expo. 

The entire event will take place throughout all of the Exhibition Halls (1-4) so it's going to be huge with a variety of displays, activities, and opportunities to explore, engage and learn throughout the event!

What is WorldSkills?

WorldSkills Australia influences, challenges, and supports Australians to develop, recognise and promote skills excellence. 

The WorldSkills National Championships is Australia’s biggest vocational education and excellence competition. 

They promote skills excellence by delivering skill-based competitions operating at a regional, national and international level. 

Click here to find out more: https://www.worldskills.org.au/about/

Register today to lock in your preferred visitation day/arrival time, and to ensure you receive updates and information during the lead-up to the event. 

To register, go to: 

http://www.careersemploymentexpo.com.au/Brisbane%20Schools%20Booking%20Form.html

Dates – Thursday 12, Friday 13 and Saturday 14 June 2025 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre

** Please note, Our Expo will be back in May 2026 as usual. (Thurs May 28 to Sat May 30, 2026)The change to June has only altered for 2025 so we can run together with the WorldSkills National Championships.

Broncos Sport Business Institute: Exciting Pathways for Graduates

The Broncos Sport Business Institute continues to provide outstanding career opportunities for students passionate about the sporting industry. Their recent graduates have stepped into exciting roles, including positions within the AFL and NRL in game development and coaching education. Notably, two graduates have secured full-time roles with Souths Logan Magpies in wellbeing and events, while another two have joined the Broncos Membership team.

This year, the Institute welcomed new cohorts, including students in the brand-new Workforce Operations stream. We are especially proud to see 2024 Marist College graduate Lachlan Dale among them. Lachlan has embraced this opportunity and is already making great strides in his studies.

With their next graduation approaching in May, the Broncos Sport Business Institute is also preparing for the busy school career expo season. They are eager to connect with Year 12 students to discuss career pathways in sport at next term’s “Beyond Marist College Ashgrove – Futures and Employment Expo” on May 14.

For students interested in a career in the sports industry, this could be an incredible pathway worth exploring!