Careers and Pathways

Reminder: VTAC 2022 Upcoming Key Dates

A reminder to Year 12 students that submitted their VTAC course application in August - September, but are yet to pay the application fee, please note, that your application may be cancelled.  VTAC require you to attend to your application fee of $42 immediately. 

The VTAC website is www.vtac.edu.au

FREE VCE Masterclass Series - Online lectures

The VCE Masterclass series supports Units 3 & 4 students across Victoria to attend (via Webex) sessions to strengthen study skills and techniques across a range of study areas.

• English
• Chemistry
• Methods
• Specialist Maths
• Further Maths
• Physical Education
• Music
• Academic Skills workshop

Students will participate in a FREE 60-minute lecture-style presentation by an expert teacher in the study area.

A summary of notes will also be available for download by the participants.

Each event will include a 30-minute Q&A session where participants can ask questions of the expert teacher.

These FREE Masterclass sessions are provided by the Victorian State Government Department of Education and begin this week!

For more information, visit the website: https://earthed.vic.edu.au/vce-masterclass-series/

Australian Jobs 2021 Publication

Australian Jobs 2021 is now live. This publication helps inform career choices using labour market data and research. Australian Jobs gives an overview of trends in the Australian labour market. It is designed to support students, job seekers, those considering future training and work and people interested in labour market issues. Australians Jobs will step you through all aspects of the labour market. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the labour market and there is now more competition for jobs. It is more important than ever to understand what employers are looking for and to understand the labour market you're moving into.

Download the Australian Jobs 2021 PDF HERE.

2022 Parliament of Victoria Work Experience Program

On Monday 11 October 2021, applications open for the 2022 Parliament of Victoria work experience program. This program provides an opportunity for Victorian secondary students to undertake a one-week placement in either the Parliamentary Sitting or Parliamentary Services program in Term 1 or Term 2 2022. The Parliamentary Sitting program is offered in sitting weeks and is suitable for students interested in politics, economics and/or legal studies. During this placement, students will work with staff who directly support the sittings. The Parliamentary Services program is offered in both sitting and non-sitting weeks. During this placement, students would work with staff from their nominated professional service area that supports the day-to-day business of Parliament. These areas include; human resources, learning and development, finance, information technology, facilities management and maintenance, community engagement, broadcasting, and hospitality. 

Applications close on 19 November for work placements in Term 1 and Term 2 2022. Current Year 9 students are encouraged to browse this information. Work experience dates for 2022 are Tuesday 14th - Friday 17th June, 2022. (4-day placement - Monday 13th June is the Queen’s Birthday Public Holiday).

Learn more & APPLY HERE.

RMIT Parents to Parents Panel 

Thursday 25th November 

Have a child in senior years of high school? Start here and you'll find information from parents to help guide you best. Come along to hear from parents of RMIT students to get an insight into the busy and exciting time that is studying at university!  

Listen to parents of RMIT students and discover how you can support your child in transitioning into university life.

This is the perfect session if you are a parent of a VCE or VCAL student and want to hear from other parents that have experienced the transition from high school to university before.

You'll hear from RMIT staff and parents on:

• University Transition
• Support services
• Parents support
• Parent experiences
• Our campuses
• Industry Experience
• Global Opportunities
• Clubs and societies
• Welcome day

Parents will also have the chance to ask questions and find out where RMIT might take your child.

Parents can REGISTER HERE

The University of Melbourne’s Elite Athlete Program

Applications for the Elite Athlete Program for students applying for study in 2022 are now open. Applicants could receive a conditional offer of support prior to the VTAC Change of Preference date of 20 December 2021.  The Elite Athlete Program provides elite and emerging student-athletes with financial and in-kind support to assist them to reach their potential whilst studying at the University of Melbourne.  Benefits can include: 

• Up to $4,000 to assist with competition and travel costs from High Performance and Friends of the Sports Association Scholarships
• Physiotherapy services (fully or partially subsidised with on-campus practice Elite Academy)
• Professional Strength and Conditioning coaching and programming
• 12-month Aquatic and Fitness Centre membership
• Subsidies for inter-varsity representative sporting events
• Supporting student-athletes to represent the University of Melbourne at appropriate inter-varsity championships or events during the term of their support.

Motor Mechanics

What do Mechanics do?

Mechanics use their skills and tools to repair and maintain vehicle engines and other related mechanical components. They can specialise to work on a variety of different vehicles, including cars, motorbikes, trucks, boats, and farm machinery.

If you like working with your hands, are analytical and a great problem-solver, and want a job that will keep you on your feet, you might want to consider becoming a Mechanic.

About you:

• Fit and healthy
• Works well with their hands
• Analytical and thorough
• Good communicator
• Trustworthy and reliable
• Great problem-solver
• Can work independently and as part of a team
• Strong mathematic skills

 The job:

• Detecting and diagnosing problems and faults
• Repairing and replacing missing or broken parts
• Disassembling and reassembling complex parts, such as engines, transmissions, steering mechanisms, and more
• Performing routine maintenance on vehicles
• Communicating to clients about issues, costs and solutions
• Testing parts to make sure they work correctly
• Working with a variety of tools and machinery

Average hours for full-time workers: 44 hours a week, which is average (source: joboutlook.gov.au).

Mechanics’ salary (average) $60,000* per year (source: com.au). *Salaries vary depending on your skills and experience.

Future career growth: Stable (source: joboutlook.gov.au).

You will be doing a lot of physical work and spend most of the day on your feet. Being fit and healthy is a huge advantage. You might also expect to work overtime on urgent jobs and on weekends.

How to Become a Mechanic in Australia

To work as a Mechanic, you will need to complete a relevant VET qualification. These are usually done as apprenticeships, giving you the opportunity to gain valuable experience while you learn.

Step 1 – Complete Year 10 at the least, focusing on Maths and Sciences.

Step 2 – See if you can get work experience as a mechanic or working with machines.

Step 3 – Completing a relevant VET-level qualification, depending on the particular field you’d like to work in. Some options include:

Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology

Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology

Certificate III in Marine Mechanical Technology

Certificate III in Motorcycle Mechanical Technology

Certificate III in Agricultural Mechanical Technology

Most of these qualifications can be undertaken as an apprenticeship, so you can earn while you learn.

Step 4 – Make sure you have all the relevant licensing and other requirements necessary to start working.

Find out more here:

Motor Trades Association of Australia:   https://www.mtaa.com.au/

VACC Automotive Apprenticeships:  https://www.autoapprenticeships.com.au/ 

Current apprenticeship opportunity: 

NextGen Jobs – BMW Apprenticeships

Are you ready to kick start your career with an industry-leading, world-renowned prestige car brand? NextGen Jobs (NGJ) has partnered with BMW Group Australia to offer a fast-tracked apprenticeship located in Melbourne’s East!

This isn’t your ordinary apprenticeship program. BMW #NextTech is an accelerated 3 year apprenticeship with dedicated trade school classes. Trade school classes will be held in Melbourne, Victoria at the Automotive Centre of Excellence. All travel and accommodation costs are covered.

We are on the lookout for individuals who are passionate about starting their career as an automotive apprentice and working towards becoming a BMW Master Technician. Successful candidates will have the opportunity to fast-track their apprenticeship, gain additional training through BMW specific manufacturers training and develop specialised skills that would be recognised across the world.

About the Role:

• Minor servicing of light vehicles
• Assisting technicians where necessary
• Cleaning working areas
• Operating electrical test equipment
• Follow safe working practices in an automotive environment
• Use and maintain tools and equipment specific to BMW standards
• Identify automotive electrical systems and components

About You:

• A passion for automotive and the desire to become a highly skilled and in-demand technician
• Commitment to the apprenticeship, including practical studies at TAFE
• Strong sense of self-motivation and enthusiasm with a high work ethic and 'can do' attitude
• Honesty, trustworthiness and punctuality
• Current driver’s license or close to obtaining one is preferred
• Certificate II in Automotive or demonstrated experience is ideal

Some of the benefits:

• Earn and learn - work towards your Certificate III whilst earning a wage!
• Ongoing support and mentoring from a dedicated NextGen Jobs Mentor
• A secure career in a luxury dealership and prestige brand
• Excellent working conditions with state of the art facilities
• Dedicated TAFE and training classes with BMW qualified trainers
• All TAFE fees reimbursed
• Becoming a registered BMW technician upon completion of your apprenticeship, and work towards becoming a BMW master technician
• We provide all PPE gear and assist with enrolling into TAFE
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

About us:

NextGen Jobs is Australia's newest group training organisation (GTO), and Australia's first GTO focused exclusively on the delivery of 'new-collar' apprenticeships and traineeships in emerging high-tech and high-growth occupations. We currently employ and train more than 650 young Australians through our national network, making us one of the largest employers of apprentices and trainees in Australia.

If successful in securing an apprenticeship in this industry-leading automotive program, you will have the added benefit of an experienced and dedicated mentor to support you throughout the journey. Our mentors are carefully selected for their background in working with young people and students. NGJ Mentors meet with apprentices in the workplace regularly to proactively discuss skills and knowledge growth, training and overall development and well-being.

NextGen Jobs values and recognises diversity in the workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer and actively support applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds to apply. We offer safe and inclusive working environments where you can learn, grow and achieve your career objectives.

Apply now:

If this sounds like the opportunity you've been looking for then click the "Apply" button to submit your application.

Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

For more information go to https://www.nextgenjobs.org.au/

Ms Vivian Seremetis

Careers Coordinator