Industry Learning week

Term 4 was certainly jam packed with many different experiences for our students and one of these highlights was the Industry Learning Week. During the final weeks of Term 4, all Kimberley-based students participated in five days of Industry Learning, mostly placed at organisations in Fitzroy Crossing and one student in Broome. It was amazing to have so much support from the local  community, providing our students with practical work tasks and guidance to further develop their skills and knowledge of what they have learnt in class. Through participation in the workplace learning program students developed and demonstrated increasing  competence in the core skills for work, transferable or employability skills.  

There are many benefits of a workplace learning program. The organisations benefit by developing a realistic understanding of industry expectations and standards in young people, providing network connections where employers can recruit and providing a direct link to schools and the opportunity to make education more relevant to industry needs. For our students, we saw a growth in confidence, stamina, developing of positive relationships with local organisations and an appreciation of the skills required for working. In the lead up to the week the students learnt about Work Health Safety and the expectations in the workplace. The students were placed across a range of industries, so each had different roles and work tasks. I feel for those students who were working outside in the heat as it was extremely hot (38-40 degrees!) in Fitzroy Crossing. 

Special thanks to Fitzroy Valley District High, Nindilingarri, Baya Gawyu, Juniper Gardui Aged Care, Mangkaja, Marra Worra Worra (Housing, Café, Hardware, recycling and community development program),  Garnduwa, Rangers, Parks and Wildlife and Tim Ismaili (Landscaping), who all supervised our students through the week. Without their support the week would not have been such a success.  

All the students did an amazing job and represented the school in very positive way! We travelled in and out of Fitzroy Crossing for the five days which meant early mornings and long days. To the students’ credit, they got up each day with minimal complaint and filled in their reflection each evening at dinner time. Some of the supervisor’s feedback has been exceptional and the students should be proud of their accomplishment. 

Each student completed different tasks at their respective work places and some of the skills they developed included: programming cameras for the rangers, filing documents and working on the computer, learning how to make beverages and different meals, customer service, admin tasks, caring for the elderly, visiting communities and assisting with delivering health  programs and learning how to drive a forklift to name a few! Kelwin and Renisha, who were working with Garnduwa, went out to  community for a sleep over when they helped deliver a sport program at Yakanarra community, which was a great opportunity.  

It was such a valuable experience for our students, and we look forward to more Industry learning in 2021!

Tegan Gluschenko, Career and Transitions Coordinator (Acting)