Careers Corner
Free TAFE
You may have heard advertisements for Free TAFE over recent months. Free TAFE courses have a “FC” symbol next to the course title so they are easily identifiable. The course is not completely free of charges. Fees usually encompass tuition fees, materials and associated fees and student service fees. Under Free TAFE, the government pays the tuition fees, which is usually the most expensive cost.
Courses involved in Free TAFE are generally linked to skill shortage areas. They range from pre-apprenticeship courses, to certificates and diplomas. There is strict eligibility criteria and not everyone will qualify for this scheme.
For more information click here: https://www.vic.gov.au/free-tafe
Please watch this 60 second video which explains FREE TAFE
Subject and Course Selection
Over the next few weeks, students in Years 9 – 12 will be choosing subjects or courses for 2023. There are a few things that students need to consider before making subject choices:
- Choose subjects you enjoy and are interested in
- Choose subjects you are good at and be realistic about your abilities
- Choose subjects that will support your future direction and check the prerequisites
Don’t choose subjects based on:
- Choices your friends are making
- Teachers you like/do not like
The VTAC website has a great link, ‘Careers Targets’ in their Careers Hub, which explores careers related to school subjects the student enjoys. These “bull’s-eye targets” contain a range of jobs and the level of study needed for each one. Check out the link:
https://www.careershub.vtac.edu.au/for-students/career-targets?
Study Skills Assessments
The VTAC Careers Hub has another terrific page centred on Study Skills Assessments. This page gives you access to quizzes/assessments including Learning Style, Concentration, Procrastination, Motivation, Anxiety, Maths Study Skills, Self Esteem and Social Skills.
At the end of each assessment, you are given advice and tips based on results. They don’t take very long to complete and provide the person with some valuable information and guidance. If you have some spare time, give it a go.
https://www.careershub.vtac.edu.au/for-students/study-exams/study-skills
How do I become a teacher?
Many students drop into the career’s office, asking what they need to do to become a teacher. Firstly, students who have recently completed Yr 12 need to have an ATAR over 70, secondly, gained 25 or above in English (30 or above EAL), thirdly, passed units 1 and 2 or 3 and 4 (Maths Methods, Specialist or General Maths) and lastly, been successful on the Casper test. If this has occurred, they can apply for numerous Primary or Secondary teaching courses. As these courses are competitive, the median score is often above 70.
If a student does not achieve an ATAR over 70, there are various pathways into teaching. Students can apply to complete an undergraduate degree in a range of disciplines followed by a Master’s Degree in Education. Monash University (and a few other universities) offer diploma courses in education and, depending on the student’s progress, may lead to a teaching degree. Federation University has a Bachelor of Education Studies (and several other courses) that enable a student to pathway to a teaching degree, once again, dependent on their progress. Therefore, if a student does not receive the ATAR they require, following a pathway is an option into a range of teaching degrees, keeping in mind nothing is guaranteed and is based on the student's results and available places.
Please watch this short video on becoming a teacher.
What is the Casper test?
Casper is an online, open-response situational judgment test based on what you would do in a tough situation, and more importantly, why. This helps determine behavioural tendencies of applicants pursuing people-centred professions. The test currently costs $80 to sit and results are sent to the universities the applicant has chosen, to determine whether or not they believe their course is the right one for you. For more information, practice scenarios and frequently asked questions, visit:
Career Targets
These days, there are a range of pathways into many courses available at TAFE and university. Students should not despair if they are not automatically accepted into their first choice as they may well be able to navigate a pathway. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us in the Careers and Pathways office.