Pathways 

Pathways Newsletter 

Year 12 My Future Pathways Journey sessions

Year 12 My Future Pathways counselling continues throughout Term 3 and 4. Students can submit their individual or small group booking through Teams. Sessions are before and after school, recess, lunchtime, private study periods or during class time if their teacher provides permission.

We encourage ALL Year 12 students to meet with pathways to discuss their plans post-secondary: 

1. Tertiary Pathway (University or TAFE)

2. Alternative Pathway (Apprenticeship, Traineeship, full time work, seeking work, ADF GAP year) 

1. Tertiary Pathway students are encouraged to sign up to VTAC once they have created a USI number www.usi.gov.au and include Visa documentation as required to assist in creating their VTAC accounts.

We encourage students to submit at least one course prior to their counselling session prior to the early application closing on the 28th September to keep the VTAC service fee at $55 especially if students intend to have their sessions to discuss more courses including a pathways course which also gives us access to SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme), Scholarship and Personal Statement tabs on VTAC. 

SEAS and Scholarship close on the 6th October whereas most course preferences can be added, subtracted or moved around the preference listing prior to the release of the December offer. Note: Direct entry into Medicine at Monash and all Fine Arts and Creative Arts courses at Melbourne cannot be added beyond September due to allocation of interviews, folios etc. 

Students intending to take a Gap year in 2024 are encouraged to submit a VTAC application and defer from their offered course for 12 months following the institutions deferment policy. Note: there are some courses such as Medicine cannot be deferred due to the competitive nature of the course and limited places. Current Year 12 students have more course places than non-Year 12 applicants plus they will get the support from the pathways team to help maximise course offering if they apply then defer.

Each Year 12 student will have an individual counselling session or small group session if the theme area applies to several students, to help support them adding the remaining 7 courses including at least one pathway course, to ensure they are offered a course of interest during the offer rounds. We also offer support in writing SEAS Impact Statements and Statement of Supports, Scholarship applications and Personal Statement to maximise course offer potential.

2. Alternative Pathways students will meet separately with Pathways staff to discuss, explore, support and document their individual pathways needs.

Year 9 Morrisby Assessment

The Morrisby service is designed to help students make better choices about subject selection, vocational education and training, senior secondary school certificates and further study. In addition to the assessment students will attend an individual counselling session with a Morrisby trained practitioner who shall be onsite at VSC from the 4th – 15th September 2023 to unpack the Morrisby Portfolio; identifying potential suitable careers in a report, discuss the analysis of their career assessment report and outcomes of their assessment and future options throughout September.

Please ensure parental consent has been provided for your child on the Morrisby Career Counselling event posted to Compass

Head Start

The Head Start model is now available 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
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• 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. Students will need to complete an expression of interest form and are encouraged to watch the compilation video: https://vimeo.com/543441634/d0542cc9d8

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 senior school, 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.

Certificates & Traineeships 

 All accredited external VCE subjects such as Dance, Drama and Languages contribute to the VCE. Students are required to present the Assessing School Notification Form to Pathways for enrolment on VASS the VCE software program. Some certificates and traineeships in Retail, Hospitality and Sports Coaching undertaken as part of employment can often provide credits towards the VCE. Eg. McDonalds, KFC, Hungry Jacks or similar retail or hospitality environment are encouraged to bring in the training plan or completed certificate with statement of results for this information to be added to the VCE VASS software database.

Inclusion students

Aspergers Victoria are offering a ‘Teen Work KnowHow’ program with a pathway for teens to understand themselves in the world of work, including the development of positive job readiness skills that are practical, empowering and specific to each individual learning styles. Students also receive supported work experience placements in the July and September school holidays. 

Students who participate in this program leave with more career understanding, improved self-confidence and useful tools to help map their own working future. Click on the link for further information and resources. https://aspergersvic.org.au/

ADF Gap Year Program Open for Enrolment 

A Gap Year in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) is a unique opportunity for students to experience life in the Navy, Army or Air Force without needing to make a long-term commitment. The skills obtained through a 12-month ADF Gap Year program will provide them with experiences that are completely transferable and will help them develop confidence for their next endeavours.

Students who take part in the ADF Gap Year program will grow and develop in a dynamic, supportive and people-focused environment.

They will: 

• Gain valuable skills and work experience 

• Enjoy a great salary package plus free healthcare 

• Live a varied, active and healthy lifestyle 

• Make friends with like-minded people 

• Have the opportunity to see more of Australia

There are a variety of roles for students to select from. These include experiences in management, engineering, logistics and warehousing, combat and security, and administration. Browse over fifteen roles available for students

Work Experience & Employment Opportunities

Work Experience 

Air conditioning placement opportunity in Bayswater with potential for apprenticeship

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:

· 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

· 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, lots more to help individual career development

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.

Stay Safe. Stay Well. Stay Connected.

VSC Pathways Team