Careers

Bendigo Indigenous Careers Expo 2022

On Friday 12 August, Kohen Williams (Year 12, 2022) & Chase Norfolk (past CSC student) were invited to speak on a panel at the Indigenous Careers Expo in Bendigo, and both spoke proudly and confidently. The panel was set up to share experiences of the Nalderun Aboriginal School-based Apprenticeship/ Traineeship Program (SBAT) and to inspire others to take up the opportunities in future – which they absolutely did! In the words of one of the students attending to listen “I didn’t want to finish school until I heard them speak”.

Kohen is currently completing his SBAT with Parks Victoria/ DELWP, as well as Certificate II in Horticulture at Bendigo TAFE. Chase, who completed his SBAT in Conservation & Land Management, is currently co-Coordinator of the SBAT program with Nalderun, as well as a First Nations Youth Mentor, Bush Tucker Project co-ordinator, Young Kuli Business Leader and Nalderun Board member. 

In 2022, Nalderun supports 8 Aboriginal students (4 from CSC & 4 from Bendigo Senior SC) to complete their Year 12 studies, while working in paid SBATs focused on Cultural Land Management with Parks, DELWP, North Central Water Catchment Authority, & Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation. These students are all supported to feel Culturally safe and valued, while learning On Country and exploring pathways into meaningful employment in Cultural Land Management/ Agriculture & Horticulture through an Aboriginal lens. The SBAT program also supports 2 trainees in Administration with Coliban Water & CVGT, completing units from their Certificate III in Business Administration, and is looking to expand further in 2023.

If you are a Year 10 or 11 student who identifies as Aboriginal &/ or Torres Strait Islander, and are keen to be part of the SBAT program next year, we’d love to hear from you - talk to Kerri (Careers Counsellor) at CSC, or to Bee & Chase (Nalderun SBAT co-Coordinators) on 0400 180 516. 

YEAR 10 WORK EXPERIENCE

After two years of postponed and cancelled work experience programs the students were eager to get out into the work force and try something challenging and new.

The work placements varied across many different industries including some Melbourne based organisations Melbourne Museum, WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research), Bendigo Art Gallery to being totally supported by the small businesses of our awesome Castlemaine community.

A BIG THANKYOU to the following businesses for supporting our Year 10 Work Experience Program without your support this program would not be a success.

​Thankyou,

Kerri Aitken – Career Counsellor