Year 10 News

Parents of Year 10

This year in our STEP program, students are taking on Unit 1 of VCE Industry and Enterprise to provide:

• a stronger connection with their pathway from Year 10 onwards, through Careers education and Work Experience
• An example of a VCE unit, giving students a unit towards their VCE certificate

As part of this unit, a mandatory Work Experience (38 hours) is embedded into our Year 10 program, scheduled for June 15 to 19. Please see below for the Parents’ Guide to Work Experience to help support your child.

A Parent’s Guide to Work Experience

The Key Details

• In Week 9 Term 2 (15 to 19 June), all Year 10 students must complete one week of work experience at an employer of their choice as part of Unit 1 VCE Industry and Enterprise.
• This is mandatory for all students to provide exposure to the world of work and help them decide which subjects or VET subjects they may want to do in Year 11 and 12, and the career they may pursue when they leave school.
• Work experience paperwork will be given out to students in STEP and must be returned to Careers in V3.5 by Friday, 30 May.
• Students who do not participate in work experience will be required to come to school to complete an alternative work experience program.

Benefits of Year 10 Work Experience

• Helps students with selecting their VCE and VET subjects for 2026.
• Adds a “work experience” to their resume, which can help with finding part-time work.
• Some students are offered part-time jobs through their work experience
• It can lead to more Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) opportunities in Year 11 and 12 (4 days school, 1 day work placement or school holidays)
• Can lead to school-based apprenticeships and traineeships through Headstart in Year 10-12.
• Assistance with White Card for students interested in Building & Construction – email Mel – Melissa.white@education.vic.gov.au

Frequently Asked Questions/Tips

Where do I look for work experience?

• Talk to friends and family and find out what careers they do, and ask if anyone can offer a one-week placement in a career of interest
• Students are welcome to approach businesses directly that they think they may like to work at for a one-week placement. This can be done by calling ahead or speaking to a manager in person.
• A list of previous employers that Cranbourne Secondary College students have completed work experience with will be released, or students can use the SWL Portal
• Use Google Maps to research local employers

What if an employer cannot be found?

• Keep trying, it only takes one person to say yes to potentially set up a life-changing opportunity.
• An alternative work experience program will be running at school during Week 9, Term 2, including Virtual Work Experience and CareerTools Activities.