Careers
Industry Week Provides Students with Valuable Career Exploration Opportunities
This week, Boorowa Central School Year 9 students (and Year 10 students who were unable to secure a work experience placement) participated in our inaugural Industry Week program.
Industry Week was designed to expose students to the wide range of industries, occupations and career pathways available within the Boorowa and Hilltops region. Throughout the week, students had the opportunity to hear from industry professionals, visit local businesses and workplaces, and learn about the skills, qualifications and pathways required for a variety of careers.
Students participated in sessions with a diverse range of local employers and industry representatives. These included Courtney Johnson (Skills for Work), Garrett Robinson (Hospitality and Business), Marty Schiemer from Hilltops Council, Rachel Stewart (Physiotherapy), Karen Clark from NSW Police, Alex White from NSW Ambulance, Kathleen McCauley from the Rural Fire Service, Tammy Frame and Darren Manton from Bendigo Bank, Gerard Ryan from CSIRO, Brendan McGrath (Building and Carpentry), Nicole Summer and Lana Palmer from Boorowa Hospital, Emma Jones from Boorowa Family Day Care, Sarah Robinson from Indulgence Hair and Beauty, Dan Gerrard from Boorowa Veterinary Clinic, Paige Moorby from Young Motors, Angelica Gay (Lawyer), Chris Grimson from Essential Energy, Steve Penrose from Penrose Smash Repairs, Adam Dewar from Stonehaven and Shane Croker from Boorowa Tractors.
Through these sessions, students gained valuable insights into careers in local government, health care, emergency services, banking and finance, hospitality, scientific research, trades, education and child care, veterinary science, law, agriculture, automotive industries and energy services. Students learned about workplace expectations, training pathways, qualifications, employability skills and the day-to-day realities of working in each industry.
A key aim of Industry Week was to encourage students to think beyond careers they may already be familiar with and to broaden their understanding of the pathways available after school. Students were encouraged to ask questions, engage with employers and reflect on how their interests, strengths and subject selections may connect to future career opportunities.
The success of Industry Week would not have been possible without the generosity of our presenters, businesses and organisations who gave their time to support our students. We sincerely thank everyone involved for sharing their knowledge, experiences and advice. Their willingness to invest in the next generation has provided students with valuable insights that will help inform future subject selections, work experience opportunities and career decisions.
We would also like to thank our staff who supported the program throughout the week and helped ensure students gained the most from these valuable learning experiences.
Industry Week forms part of the Boorowa Central School commitment to helping students make informed decisions about their future education, training and employment pathways while strengthening connections between classroom learning and the work force.
Student feedback highlighted the positive impact Industry Week had on their understanding of local career opportunities and future pathways. One student described the week as "an eye opener", while another shared that "it opened my eyes a lot about what is available in Boorowa and has got me thinking about my future". Students also appreciated the opportunity to learn directly from local employers, with one commenting that "Industry Week was very helpful and gave me lots of guidance about how to go down the path I want, as well as opening lots of new ideas and skills". Another student reflected that "Industry Week is a great opportunity and experience for Year 9 students, especially if they don't know what is in the community. Really good, really fun, would recommend."
