Careers Update

Year 10 Work Experience Week – A valuable journey into the workforce

This term our Year 10 students participated in work experience placements across a range of local industries. It was a fantastic opportunity for students to explore potential career paths, develop workplace skills and gain a deeper understanding of the world of work. Lowanna College staff conducted visits and phone check-ins throughout the week and received overwhelming positive feedback from both students and employers. Many students shared how much they enjoyed the experience and how valuable it was in helping them consider their future directions. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the local businesses who generously hosted our students. Your ongoing support is instrumental in making our Work Experience Program such a success. 

Thank you to the following employers who hosted our students this year:

Changing Seasons Gifts

Harcourts Collective

Insulmet Pty Ltd

Latrobe City Council - Moe Library 

Newborough Foodworks Supermarket

Robby J's Automotive

Smick Health & Fitness

Turn Back Time Cafe

Latrobe Valley Drafting

Law Somerville Industries Pty Ltd

Moe Hire Pty Ltd

Paynies Diesel & Hydraulic Repairs

Respect Aged Care (Baw Baw View Moe)

Gippsland Paediatric OT services

Latrobe Chiropractic

Latrobe City Council- Moe/Newborough Leisure Centre

Latrobe Valley Village

Morwell Property Sales + Rental

Odlums Pharmacy

Old Sale Road Veterinary Service

SPR Plumbing and Refrigeration

Trafalgar Pharmacy

Hot FX

AB Plumbing

Airdrie Built Constructions

DJN Electrical

Farnham Developments

Phillipsons Accounting Services

Purcell Welding

Valley Building Solutions

DRS Building & Construction

Fonterra Australia

Willow Grove Primary School

AWP Plastering P/L

Baw Baw Plastering

BJC Building Development

Change Carpentry

Ecostar Double Glazing

Elders GPG

Harding Flooring Installations

Interactive Sports Consultants

Luddeni Electrical

Melbourne Stonemasons

MKL Electrical

Moe Albert Street Primary School

Theircare

United Medical Centre

Willis Carpentry Services

Ben Brouwer Plumbing

BJ Farthing & MR Knight Farm

Buln Buln Primary School

Korumburra Sports & Spinal

Lakes Plumbing Services

Latrobe Regional Hospital

Loy Yang A - Service Stream

Maryvale Private Hospital

Monash Childrens Hospital

Tequa - Plumbing

The Locker Room Sports Academy

Trafalgar Kindergarten

Vic Low Loaders

William Adams Pty Ltd

Images Skin & Waxing Centre

Indulge Yourself Beauty

Lloyd Street Discount Chemist

Lloyd Street Tyres and Auto Service

The Property Group

Firmins Lane Engineering

Gippsland Water

Newborough Hotel

St Kierans Primary School

VCA Yallourn Parish Thrift Shop

Dacelo Beauty & Co

HEX Health

Confidence Lashes & Beauty

Speech Pathology Plus

Traralgon Suspension & Exhaust

Eizabeth Street Primary School

South Street Primary School

Newborough East Primary School

St Marys Primary School

CR Strength and Conditioning

Cumming Builders

Nassa

Traralgon Automotive Group

Bluebird Early Learning and Education

Trafalgar Primary School

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Health Camp 

In May, six Lowanna College students took part in the ‘Inspiring Careers in Health’ Camp - a two-day event aimed at helping young people explore a wide range of health-related careers, including medicine, allied health, sports science, nursing and midwifery.

The camp, hosted by Federation University and TAFE Gippsland, featured hands-on activities, presentations from current university and TAFE students and staff and valuable insights into various health pathways. Students also attended an ‘Inspiring Health Careers’ dinner, where they had the chance to network with professionals from across the health sector.

A highlight of the camp was hearing from former Lowanna College student, Leila Raymond, now a qualified physiotherapist. Leila shared her journey and offered a firsthand look at what it’s like to work in the field. Her passionate and engaging presentation left a lasting impression on our students.

Overall, the camp was an enriching experience that supported our students in planning their futures. A big thank you to Latrobe Health Assembly and the Baw Baw LLEN for coordinating this fantastic opportunity!

Engineering Ahead 

Engineering Ahead is a program developed by Baw Baw Latrobe LLEN, in collaboration with TAFE Gippsland and Federation University Australia, to encourage students to explore careers in engineering, from fabricators and mechanical fitters to civil and electrical engineering.

As part of this initiative, students from Lowanna College currently participating in the program had the opportunity to visit Alinta Energy/Loy Yang B Power Station. They received an overview of the business operations, participated in a 'living library' session with a range of Alinta's engineers, enjoyed a guided site tour and were treated to lunch. 

We sincerely thank Alinta Energy/Loy Yang B for their generous sponsorship, ongoing support and for investing their time in inspiring Gippsland’s next generation of engineers. 

TAFE Taster Day

This term some of our Year 10 students took part in TAFE Gippsland’s Taster Day, an exciting opportunity designed to help secondary students explore potential career pathways. Students experienced two different industries of interest and got a first-hand look at what a vocational course involves as part of a senior school program. Lowanna College students took part in a wide range of hands-on activities including animal care, bricklaying, carpentry, civil construction, community services, conservation/forestry, electrotechnology, engineering, health services, hospitality and plumbing. Well done to all who embraced the day and made the most of this valuable experience!

VTAC

Our Year 12’s will begin the process of their VTAC (Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre) applications in Term 3 and will be supported during this entire process.

The fee for a VTAC application is listed in the below chart.

It is strongly recommended that senior students, both Year 11 and 12, attend as many open days as possible as this will ensure they have made an informed choice when selecting courses. If you are unable to attend the open days, please don’t hesitate to contact the University directly to speak with a faculty or to organise a private tour. Attending open days gives students the opportunity to learn how an institution works, where it is and what opportunities are available as well as determining how they feel about the environment, people and courses. You can meet staff and students, see facilities, experience the on-campus culture and ask lots of questions. It’s a good idea to visit open days for all the institutions you’re considering so you can feel prepared and be confident in your decisions when listing courses in your VTAC preference list.  

Here is the link to the Universities and RTO’s open days for 2025. https://vtac.edu.au/opendays.html?highlight=WyJvcGVuIiwiZGF5cyJd

VCE Vocational Major (VM) – Structured Work Placements 

Our Lowanna College students have now moved into Semester 2, which means organising another structured work placement. Well done to those students who have sourced, completed paperwork and contacted employers as this is a requirement of your VCE VM certificate. Students who are in the workforce completing their structured work placements are building their employability skills and working profiles within our community. 

Some students still have not found a placement. Please note this is a critical component of the VCE Vocational Major (VM) program and students must find a work placement. If your child does not have a work placement, please speak with them about arranging one. 

Lowanna Careers

Don’t forget to check out our Careers website with lots of information and resources to supports students and families

https://www.lowannacareers.com/

TAFE Short Courses

TAFE Gippsland is offering a range of short courses; these courses are a good way to expand your learning in a field you are interested in and will also be an addition to your resume. Please see link below for a list of these courses.

Short Courses for Individuals - TAFE Gippsland

Your Career 

The home of career information. Search industries, occupations and study options to find a career that’s right for you and what you can do to get there.

Explore Your Career | Your Career

My Future

You can explore occupations related

 to your favourite school subjects. After you create an account, click on ‘explore career bullseyes’ and then click on your favourite subjects. Start exploring career pathways by selecting a learning area you enjoy.  https://myfuture.edu.au/

Careers Support

We are available as a support for students and parents who have any questions. Please feel free to contact the Careers Team: 

Kirsty Mitchell ph: 5127 9225 or kirsty.mitchell@education.vic.gov.au 

Alisha Disisto ph: 5127 9264 or alisha.disisto@education.vic.gov.au