Focus on: post-school transitions and maximising outcom

The value of understanding school to work transitions

The changing world of work actually means that young people are increasingly finding this to be quite a complicated time in their lives. Instead of making one or two transitions between school and work, they might be taking up to 15 (NCVER). While there appear to be five common pathways, research has highlighted that the pathways young people take are diverse, individualised and complex. We all want our young people to thrive in the future, so having an understanding for the complexities associated with the school to work transitions can be beneficial. 

LSAY provides a great graphic summarizing 25 years of youth transitions https://www.lsay.edu.au/publications/search-for-lsay-publications/25-years-of-lsay-infographic 

TIS provides a video recording of the recent session Transitions and moving away from home Q&A webinar https://www.tis.org.au/webinars/

BBLLLEN School Leavers Resources

Our local LLEN has provided some handy materials for school leavers. Printed copies of the attached resources will be distributed to Year 12s soon and are available on the BBLLLEN website https://bawbawlatrobellen.com.au/resources/

School Leaver Support and Information Kit (SLIK)

The kit has a range of resources and information to help you understand all your education, training and work options. There are also resources available for Parents and Guardians on the School Leaver Support Website https://www.yourcareer.gov.au/school-leavers-support/

Main post-school options: Have you considered…?

• Employment
• Productive GAP
• Volunteering
• Traineeship/Apprenticeship
• Further study at TAFE
• Further study at University
• Further study at Private Institution

Key resources: Have you checked…?

• Services Australia – Leaving School https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/subjects/leaving-school 
• Your Career – School Leavers Support https://yourcareer.gov.au/school-leavers-support/ 
• Your Morrisby – It is recommended that you refer to this resource once every two years, keeping in mind that it is designed to be a lifelong resource. Please consider adding a secondary email and providing parent access www.morrisby.com
• Study Work Grow - This resource has a wealth of handy info and all the sections you need to help with successful post-school transitions https://studyworkgrow.com.au/ 
• My Future has a range of useful, easy to read articles providing advice on these, plus many other areas relating to careers in their Career Insight section. Given this is a free online resource, all students (and their loved ones) are encouraged to make use of this handy resource. www.myfuture.edu.au

Mrs Martin’s (Careers and Pathways Coordinator) availability: Do you need some help with your options and next step…?

• Mrs Martin works Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, bookings via the Careers Doc on Simon
• Monday 11 December, Tuesday 12 December and Wednesday 13 December, available in person for 2023 Year 12s, Jericho 9
• Offers and Change of Preference Period 21 and 22 December via email emartin@mscw.vic.edu.au or leave a message on my school phone 0356226246 and I will call you back as soon as practical.
• January Offers 12 January via email or phone, and checking these at intervals following Offers release. 

Remember...

Students who do best at university or TAFE or in the workforce are not necessarily those with the highest ATAR but those with persistence, determination, organisational and self-management skills that are also assertive in asking for help. Make sure you choose a course or next step you will enjoy and are interested in; otherwise you may experience problems with motivation.  Form friendship groups with other students so you can be active in groups that discuss work and share ideas.  Students that are engaged in learning communities and networks have a more positive further study experience.

The maths graduate turned carpenter showing university isn't always the answer to get a job you love

Ellie Farrington felt like she only had one option for what to do after high school, and it didn't involve learning a trade.

The now-27-year-old started an architecture degree at university before switching to mathematics, but when she graduated, she still wasn't sure she'd made the right choice.

"I took a year off and worked in hospitality and travelled and did a lot of thinking about what the next step was for me," she said.

"And that was really the first time that I had the thought to undertake an apprenticeship."

Farrington is now a qualified carpenter in Toowoomba and was named the 2019 Queensland Apprentice of the Year. Source: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-26/the-maths-graduate-turned-carpenter-university-trades-apprentice/11638646 

This article is a reminder that pathways are diverse and complex and that finding a career that you love may take time, self-discovery, research and experiences. 

Pathways Programs to University 

There are many different ways to get to the same destination, and that applies to university too.  Sometimes students do not quite meet the entry criteria to go straight into a university course – maybe their ATAR was not high enough, or they did not attain the minimum study score in a prerequisite subject. The encouraging thing is that many universities have recommended pathway courses to degrees they offer. Mrs Martin is able to provide advice to students about pathway programs.  

Supported Pathways to Work Programs

Evolve program located at the Mawarra Knoxbrooke Centre in Warragul, which caters for 18-25 year olds whom have additional needs and/or a disability. The program is designed to fill the gap for school leavers who are not quite ready for work. See the attached flyer. 

Careers and Pathways is seeking alumni input – can you or maybe your adult children/siblings help?

The Careers and Pathways team are aiming to showcase alumni career journeys.

Ideally, we would love to show case a range of roles, industries and pathways. 

We are open to both in-person and technology-assisted input, so If you, or someone you know, might be interested in participating, please make contact with Elly Martin – emartin@mscw.vic.edu.au