Careers & Pathways News

Here's what's happening in careers! 

Our VET students in 2025 in Years 11 and 12 have commenced their programs and are enjoying learning new skills. 

Our VET students attend VET programs either on a Wednesday, Thursday or Fridays in Hallam Secondary College, Chisholm – Dandenong and Frankston, Holmesglen – Chadstone, Waverley and Moorabbin, Kangan – Docklands, Skill invest - Dandenong, Nazareth College to name a few. 

Their VET programs include   Automotive – Mechanical, Paint and Panel, Dance,  Early Education and Care, Electro-technology, Hair and Beauty, Salon Management, Health Services Assistance, Information Technology – Games Creation, Landscaping and Screen and Media. 

We have continued with Building and Construction - Carpentry in-house at Westall Secondary College with trainer Sam.  Our Registered Training Organisation (RTO) is Skillinvest.  Sam runs this class every Friday from 9 to 3:15 pm.   So exciting to have this VET at Westall to support a skill shortage area and utilise our excellent Woodwork Space in C Block.

We thank Mrs Read for heading up VET Cookery with 15 students, with our Registered Training Organisation being IVET.  Look how smart our young chefs look in their uniform.

CAREERS SHINE A SPOTLIGHT ON School-based Apprenticeships (SBATs) in 2025

We thank and congratulate our SBAT students in Years 11 and 12 and parents for all their support. 

We are proud of our SBAT student Erena Mani in Year 12 with Employer REECE – Camberwell, whose RTO is MURRAY MALLEE TRAINING CO. LTD.  Erena worked through the school holidays and is fast completing all her modules in retail and ware housing.

Our other SBAT student with Employer REECE and METAL FLEX, whose RTO is MURRAY MALLEE TRAINING CO. LTD is Ryhanna Katu, Ryhanna is doing her Certificate II in Retail and Warehousing Operations and Demarcus Tereva who is also doing his Certificate II in Retail and Warehousing Operations in REECE -HVAC-RL Pty Ltd – Doveton.  These students have maintained excellent attendance every Wednesday and Friday even during December and January school holidays. 

More SBATs have been offered to students through National Food Institute being the RTO and GRE8 being the employer to Year 12 students  listed below.  These students attend Westall Secondary College on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and on Wednesday and Fridays they make their way to Dandenong South to complete their traineeship in Supply Chain Operations.

We take this opportunity to thank our valued Registered Training Organisations (RTO) and Employers mentioned above. 

10th February was the afternoon we hosted our “Return of our 2024 Graduates”  Many of our students came in to have a chat, meet their classmates and teachers and enjoy pizza and soft drinks.  Our VCE and Vocational Major Graduates have enrolled in University – Swinburne, Australian Catholic University, Victoria University, Monash University, RMIT, Deakin and University of Melbourne and/or TAFEs called Holmesglen or Chisholm.  Many are fully employed. Our 35 Vocational Major  Graduates have found full time work, are attending TAFE or have started full time apprenticeships, some of them leading on from the School-based Apprenticeships they started in Year 10 .  One such student is Elaiza Palagi-Sundar who is now a full time employee at REECE HVAC Clayton.    Congratulations to all of them and their parents and care givers.

18th February was an industry tour of Goodman Fielder, a Food Production Company in Clayton South for all our Year 11 Vocational Major students with Mr Gary Bottomley.  The students were given a presentation on the “world of work” in Goodman Fielder – the various departments, occupational health and safety rules and job roles and finally a tour of the entire facility.   Our students went through the whole bread making process under the able guidance of Frances Crawford, and Phil.  We sincerely thank GF for their contribution to our school.  Our students were treated to a lovely morning tea and lunch and presented to Fran the various VET programs they are undertaking.  Like the saying goes, “there’s nothing like sliced bread” and GF Purpose “Making everyday food better for everyone”.

Ms Geraldine Borgonha

Careers Advisor

Year 10 Work Related Skills - Handling Food Safely - 'VET Cookery Taster'

Year 11 Work Related Skills, Industry Visit to Goodman Fielder Bakery

As part of Unit 1 Work Related Skills, Year 11 students recently attended Goodman Fielder Bakery conveniently located close to Westall Secondary School.  They produce 1.2 million loaves of bread a week!

Industry visits are not only important in deciding upon which pathway a student may take but also observing the different types of jobs to be had as well as skills, workplace protocols, safety standards, management styles, job satisfaction and employer and employee relationships to name a few.

A special thanks to Goodman Fielder who really looked after us, providing informative guides, ‘morning tea’ and sandwiches for lunch. Thanks also to Ms Geraldine for arranging the day and teachers Donna Yuan and Duyen Ma who kindly adapted to a changing schedule.

Garry Bottomley

VCE/ VM Teacher

2025 Trade and Tech Fit Expo 3-4 June 2025

Trade & Tech Fit provides a safe and equitable space where female and gender diverse people can engage with female tradies, apprentices and industry professionals, providing insight into the breadth of trade and tech career pathways while spotlighting study, training and well-paid employment opportunities.

 https://www.vic.gov.au/trade-tech-fit-career-expo-communication-resources