Careers & Pathways News

Here's what's happening in careers! 

Mock Interviews sessions for 12V Students

On Tuesday 16 September, 12V students participated in 'mock interview' sessions with internal and external staff who kindly came to be on the interview panels. 

Thanks to Callum Khaw and Darcy Bourke,  Engineering Interns - from Cummins

Thanks to Michael Porter and his colleague from Holmesglen VELCI Career Advice Service - Holmesglen Employment Centre

Thanks to Priya Veluswamy and Ivana from Kanooka Childcare Centre

Mega thanks to Ashley Oehler and Ethan - Ashley is our Wellbeing Coordinator at WSC.

Year 12 Work Related Skills students recently took part in interviews based upon their Career Portfolios containing: resumes, cover letters, biographies, workplace skills and reasoning on ‘Why they should get the Job’ to name a few. 

The students did very well in presenting themselves for an interview with their updated resumes. They spoke with confidence to interviewers on a panel of two, for each student. This experience has provided the students with something to refer to when preparing themselves for future interviews.

The industry feedback was invaluable for our Westall students with our interviewers being impressed with our students preparation. They did very well in presenting themselves and building a new kind of confidence. It really was a positive experience for both students and professionals alike - students gaining further experience and pointers, and interviewers enjoying very much the chance to ‘give back’ some of the help that they had gained over many years of hard work. 

Thank you to the students and interview panel members who made this 'Mock Interview' session a success. Also thank you to Gary and Geraldine who arranged for the interviews to take place.

Lunch with the Winners HOSTED BY SELLEN on Tuesday 2 September 2025

Westall had six Vocational Major students join SELLEN and other schools for an inspiring lunch with the Winners 2025, hosted by SEBN and SELLEN at Springvale City Hall. We got to celebrate the achievements of young people forging successful career paths and connect with students, educators, and industry leaders over a shared lunch. We felt part of a vibrant event that showcased opportunity, ambition, and community and the students had to build a tall structure with pasta and marsh mallows which was fun.

Keynote Speaker – Bayley Mifsud

Bayley Mifsud is a contemporary Aboriginal artist born in the country town of Warrnambool, located in South-West Victoria. She takes great pride in her heritage as a descendant of the Peek and Kirrae Whurrong clans. For Bayley, practicing and sharing her culture through art and storytelling holds immense significance for herself, her family, and her community. Her Aboriginal name is Merindah-Gunya meaning “Beautiful Spirit” in Peek Whurrong language, which was gifted to her through a naming ceremony on Country, supported by her Elders and community. Bayley is also a proud ambassador for the Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation. Bayley is a wonderful example of a young person pursuing her dreams and achieving success while also contributing positively to her community.

Find out more here, https://merindahgunya.com.au/pages/about-the-artist.

We listened and learnt from a panel of successful young people who shared their success as award winning apprentices in Companies like Ronsons.  Many had chosen VCE pathways and found their way back to manufacturing, and industrial work - examples were working on building caravans used in the Outback - manufacturing solar panels and generators, boiler makers and welders, fabrication experts and forklift mechanics.  Many of these young people (in the photo) had started with these Companies doing Work Experience in Year 10.  The value of work experience could not be more present in their stories of success.  Their families helped them to succeed but sometimes caused them to question their pathway decisions.  

The information gleaned from Strategic Futurist Marcus Barber on future trends and impacts of technology had our students questioning the world we live in and how they as young people can take it forward - their recommendations were 1. An eco-friendly world, 2. Cheaper food, 3 Curb inflation and interestingly 4. Less Artificial Intelligence.  

We got to celebrate 20 years of Lunch with the Winners, a successful collaboration between South-East Business Networks, City of Greater Dandenong and SELLEN!

Ms Geraldine Career Advisor 

and Ms Linda Careers Assistant

Here's what's happening in Head Start!

VET Taster - Year 10 VM

A group of Year 10 VM students have been having a great time at VET Tasters at Holmesglen TAFE in Chadstone. Over the past 7 Fridays, they've been busy making a Tiled Chess Board, a Table, and some stools. These projects have helped them pick up new skills in tiling, grouting, carpentry, furniture making, and painting. This week, they’re trying out Bricklaying! The student's really thrown themselves into these hands-on activities and have started to see new career paths opening up for them.

Feedback from the tutors/ teachers at Holmesglen have been very positive as they commended our students for their efforts, manners, listening and following instructions.  This group of students always provided feedback about what they have learn and shared gratitude for the skills gained

Here’s what some of the students had to say:

Noah: "I really enjoyed everything — it was all hands-on. I especially liked painting and building the table and stools. Tiling was tough at first, but I got better with practice."

Sopheak Mithona: "It was pretty interesting. I learned a lot of practical skills. My favorite part was tiling because I had to concentrate really hard. People told me I was good at it, and I feel proud of myself."

Mark: "I loved the whole experience of going to Holmesglen. My favorite part was the carpentry."

Dale: "I gained new skills and experiences that'll look good on my resume and could help me down the road. I loved trying everything out, but my favourite was painting. I’m really happy with my Chess board. Visiting Holmesglen opened my eyes to new future possibilities."

Jane Jamieson 

Headstart Coordinator

Congratulations to new SBAT Students 12/09/2025

Congratulations to four students who have signed up throughout the year to become SBAT students with the Head Start program.

Kare (Taairan) T (Year 12) who signed up and commenced his Head Start school-based apprenticeships (SBAT) with employer BRL Contracting Pty Ltd on 12/09/2025 and is now completing his Certificate III in Cabinet Making and Timber Technology. 

Prince Kirby V (Year 11) who signed up and commenced his Head Start school-based apprenticeships (SBAT) with employer Garibaldi Pizzeria on 29/08/2025 and is now completing his Certificate III in Commercial Cookery. 

Aahat S (Year 11) who signed up and commenced his Head Start school-based apprenticeships (SBAT) with employer Australian Venue Co on 27/08/2025 and is now completing his Certificate III in Commercial Cookery. 

Kareroa (Pax) K (Year 11) who signed up and commenced his Head Start school-based apprenticeships (SBAT) with employer AMA Precast on 04/07/2025 and is now completing his Certificate III in Carpentry. 

The Head Start program will support Taairan, Kirby, Aahat and Pax as they embark on their SBAT journey commencing their qualification certificates, attending work with their employers and also working towards completing their studies at school. 

Jane Jamieson, Head Start Coordinator, and the Head Start team, wish Taairan, Kirby, Aahat and Pax all the best as they pursue their chosen career pathways.

• Jane Jamieson (Head Start Coordinator)

For further information about the Head Start program, please see the website and short video:

http://www.vic.gov.au/headstart About Head Start – 3 minute video