Career & VET Report
Careers Report
2023 WESTERN VICTORIAN CAREERS EXPO
BE INSPIRED! BE INFORMED!
The Western Victorian Careers Expo is country Victoria’s largest careers expo. Since its inception in 1986, this premier regional event has provided a one-stop-shop of vocational information to Western Victorian students, school leavers, job seekers, career changers, those returning to work and people considering further study or training. The expo traditionally operates on the last Tuesday of Victorian school term 2.
The 2023 Expo will be held on Tuesday 20th June.
Full details pending release.
Students from Years 7-12 will be attending the Careers Expo.
Careers in the Police Force
Become a Police Officer with Victoria Police – Online Information Session
April 26, 2023
Victoria Police is hosting an online information session for members of the community who are interested in a career as a Police Officer. Hear from us about the recruitment process and training at the Police Academy. It’s also your opportunity to ask questions you have about police careers and pathways.
ACU | Talk with Business and IT Professionals
April 27, 2023
Join us online to hear from ACU alumni about their professional experiences after completing a business or IT degree. Take part in a Q&A session with our graduates to find out what your future could hold with one of these degrees.
ADFA Careers Information Session, Melbourne
April 27, 2023
Would you like the opportunity to undertake military training while earning a degree? All without debt – in fact, we’ll pay you!
You will earn a salary while learning and step into a guaranteed role upon graduation as an Officer in the ADF.
Head to the upcoming info session to speak with current serving military personnel and learn more about the Australian Defence Force Academy.
ADF | Health Careers Virtual Information Session
April 27, 2023
Protect the health and wellbeing of Australian Defence Force personnel both on base and on deployments, in a rewarding Health role.
Join us for a virtual info session and speak with current serving members about the job variety and satisfaction you can experience while contributing to humanitarian, combat and disaster-relief operations.
ADF | Army Reserve Information Session, Melbourne
May 2, 2023
Want to serve without the full-time commitment of joining the Australia Defence Force? Look to the Army Reserve.
You’ll receive tax-free pay in part time roles that you can do one night a week, one weekend a month or a few weeks a year.
To find out more about the Army Reserve, join us for a local info session where you can speak with current serving members about their own experiences.
ADF | Women in Defence Virtual Information Session
May 2, 2023
The Australian Defence Force provides a supportive, inclusive and respectful workplace where you can grow both personally and professionally.
Tune in for a virtual info session to speak with current serving women in Defence to learn more.
ADF | Engineering Careers Virtual Information Session
May 2, 2023
Work with the most advanced technology the Australian Defence Force has to offer with a career in Engineering.
Join us for a virtual info session to learn more.
April 30, 2023
Visit us at Photography Studies College’s open day, to explore our facilities, meet our tutors and staff, discover our courses, and learn about our application and interview process.
At Photography Studies College, we provide a range of nationally accredited photography focused courses including Masters, Degrees, Diploma and Certificate courses (Vocational and Higher Education) led by internationally renowned teachers and mentors.
Find out about our mid-year 2023 fast-tracked courses, and you can apply for your course of choice on the day.
Hear from alumni about their careers and experience since graduating.
Deakin | Forensic Detective Program
June 5 to June 9, 2023
Year 9 and 10 students participate in an interactive 3-hour workshop in our science laboratories, giving students the chance to work in a real-life setting. Activities completed by students are related to entomology, fingerprinting, pollen, hair and fibre analysis, as well as chemistry, blood and DNA analysis. Includes a visit to our Crime Scene House facility.
Apprenticeships and Traineeships
Conservation Officer Traineeship Spotlight
If you love animals and the outdoors, and are keen to help preserve our natural world for future generations, you might like to work as a conservation officer. One of the best ways to secure a career in this field is through a conservation officer traineeship.
What is a career in conservation?
As a conservation officer, you’ll be responsible for protecting and conserving both native flora and fauna. You might find yourself conducting regrowth and replanting projects, doing pest and weed eradication, inspecting parks and cultural sites, conducting controlled burns, monitoring native wildlife, and supervising park visitors and campers.
There are also opportunities for Indigenous people to learn and share traditional land caring techniques and provide advice on protecting land and animals.
What skills do I need for a career in conservation?
You’ll need to have the willingness to get your hands dirty and do lots of work outdoors. If you have a passion for conservation and sustainability, this could be an ideal career choice. You’ll need to be resilient and caring, as well as have good communication skills for educating the public on conservation efforts.
Why should I consider a conservation traineeship?
Traineeships are a great way to get your foot in the door with an employer and start building valuable skills. There are often lots of opportunities to continue working with your employer after your traineeship is complete, and even advance your career down the track.
As part of a conservation traineeship, you will be doing real work for an employer while completing study with a TAFE or RTO. A conservation traineeship usually takes 2 years to complete, depending on whether you work and study full- or part-time.
Here are some common qualifications you might want to look into:
- Certificate III in Conservation and Ecosystem Management
- Certificate IV in Conservation and Ecosystem Management
- Certificate III in On Country Management
- Certificate III in Parks and Gardens
There are tons of benefits to a traineeship, rather than just work or study alone, including:
- Getting paid while you learn – unlike uni, you can work and study without having to take on an insane work load.
- The opportunity to get hands-on experience, not just endless reading.
- The potential to connect with an employer and continue working with them after your traineeship is finished.
- Your qualification will be nationally recognised, meaning you can go anywhere with it.
Where can I find traineeship opportunities?
Just like searching for a job, there are lots of places you can go to find a traineeship. You can start your search on sites like SEEK and Indeed. Take a look on social media like Facebook or LinkedIn to see if any local businesses are hiring. Sign up with an Apprenticeship Network Provider or Group Training Organisation, or even go old fashioned and take a look in the local paper or give local businesses a call.
Here are some examples of the kinds of opportunities available:
- Land Conservation and Management Trainee, Melbourne VIC
- Traineeship Conservation and Ecosystem Management, Jamberoo, Wollongong, Illawarra & South Coast NSW
- Murujuga Indigenous Rangers, Dampier, Port Hedland, Karratha & Pilbara WA
- Indigenous Land Management Trainee, Eraring, Newcastle, Maitland & Hunter NSW
- Traineeships with the Department for Environment and Water, SA
5 Exciting Career Paths for History Lovers
For students who are interested in history, there are lots of career opportunities available that can enable you to work with your love of the past while earning a living. If you consider yourself passionate about history and culture and want to explore this further in your career, we’ve come up with some potential jobs that may interest you.
Museum Curator
Museum curators are responsible for managing, preserving, and exhibiting collections of historical artefacts and artwork. They work in museums, galleries, and other cultural institutions, and are responsible for acquiring new items, cataloguing and preserving existing items, and creating exhibitions for public display. Curators will need a degree in history, art history, or museum studies, as well as excellent communication, organisation, and research skills.
Median salary in Australia: $64,000 per year.
Archivist
Archivists work in libraries, museums, government agencies, and other institutions to manage and preserve historical documents, photographs, and other records. They evaluate, organise, and describe materials to make them accessible to researchers, and may also assist with research inquiries. Archivists usually have a master’s degree in library science, archival science, or a related field, as well as strong analytical, organisational, and research skills.
Median salary in Australia: $65,000 per year.
Historian
Historians are experts in the study of history, and conduct research, analyse historical data and events, and interpret findings. They may work in academia, government agencies, non-profit organisations, or the private sector, and are often responsible for creating reports, articles, and books that provide insight into past events. Most historians have a master’s or doctoral degree in history, as well as excellent research, writing, and analytical skills.
Median salary in Australia: $75,000 per year.
Cultural Heritage Manager
Cultural heritage managers work to protect and promote sites of cultural significance, such as historic buildings, landmarks, and landscapes. They may work for government agencies, non-profit organisations, or private companies, and are responsible for developing strategies to preserve and interpret cultural heritage sites, as well as for managing budgets and staff. Cultural heritage managers normally require a degree in history, archaeology, architecture, or a related field, as well as excellent communication, management, and planning skills.
Median salary in Australia: $77,000 per year.
Genealogist
Genealogists research family histories, tracing family trees and uncovering information about a client’s ancestors’ lives and connections. They may work for genealogy companies, government agencies, or private clients, and are often self-employed. Genealogists should have a degree in history, genealogy, or a related field, as well as excellent research, analytical, and communication skills.
Median salary in Australia: $60,000 per year.
Find out more
There are tons more jobs and pathways to explore on our website here.
Australian Public Service (APS) Career Starter Program
Kickstart your career in Government with the Career Starter Program. You’ll get the opportunity to study a Certificate IV in Government while working full-time for a participating government department. Find out more.
Did you know that getting an ATAR isn’t the only pathway to study at university? Heaps of unis have multiple pathway options, including for people who have obtained a VET qualification. If you’re in high school and thinking of uni, it might be worth considering a VET pathway to university to boost your chances of getting in.
So what exactly do you need to do to get in?
Getting a VET qualification
If you’re still in high school, you can earn a VET qualification by undertaking a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship (SBAT). Not only will you get a nationally-recognised qualification, you’ll gain real work experience, and your VET studies can also contribute towards your high school certificate. In some cases, you can even gain credit towards an ATAR, leaving you with multiple options once you leave school.
You can also obtain a VET qualification in high school through a VET in Schools program, where you will study VET subjects alongside your high school subjects. Just like school-based apprenticeships and traineeships, this study can also contribute towards your high school certificate, and even an ATAR.
You can also choose to study with a TAFE or RTO once you’ve finished school and gain a qualification that way. Most VET courses have no strict entry requirements, so if your ATAR was lower than expected, you can study a VET qualification as a stepping stone to uni – and it can be a great way to get a feel for what study is like and if you enjoy certain subjects.
Some universities even have pathway programs through affiliated colleges, allowing you to study for a Diploma that will give you direct entry into an undergraduate degree. In most cases, your studies will also provide you with credit for your degree, meaning you don’t need to spend longer to gain a qualification. For example, UOW College offer Diplomas in a variety of areas that will give you guaranteed entry to UOW on completion.
Using a VET qualification for uni entry
Pretty much every university in Australia will accept a completed VET qualification as a pathway to study. In most cases, you’ll need to have completed a minimum of a Certificate III level qualification.
For example, at JCU, completing a Certificate III qualification in any area will give you guaranteed entry to four of their courses (including the Bachelor of Science). At QUT, if you’ve completed a Certificate IV qualification, this translates to a Selection Rank of 74, meaning you can gain entry to any course with an SR of 74 and under.
Generally, the higher the level of qualification you have, the more degrees you will be eligible for (a Diploma will allow you to gain entry to more courses than a Certificate III, for example). Some degrees might still have subject prerequisites as well.
Different universities will have different criteria for entry, so it’s best to check with the specific uni you want to apply to.
Why should you consider VET pathways?
There are lots of reasons you might like to study a VET qualification while you’re still at school or after you’ve finished, including:
- Getting a feel for what higher study is like and preparing yourself for uni
- If you’re doing an SBAT, you get real work experience (and some money too)
- Giving yourself more options for your future
- You might find a VET qualification is enough for your dream job
- Exploring pathways you might not have considered before
- Peace of mind knowing an ATAR isn’t the only way to get into uni
You can read more about VET study on this website here.
Victoria Heffernan, Careers Co-ordinator