Pathways

Vermont Secondary College

VSC Careers Expo 23

Our first VSC Careers Expo was an absolute hit with students, families, exhibitors, and staff. There was a definite buzz of excitement flowing throughout the Senior Study Centre across the day with lots of student engagement, positive pathway discussions and interaction with our wonderful tertiary representatives and careers stakeholders.

Unfortunately, RMIT were unable to attend the event due to illness. I have since arranged a mini RMIT Q&A session for Year 12 students on Wednesday 2nd August in the Senior Study Centre from 11am. Students in Year 11 considering studying at RMIT in 2025 may register their interest with Pathways to attend the Q&A.

Careers Expo representatives

* ACU – Australian Catholic University

* ADF – Australian Defence Force

* Box Hill Institute

* Deakin University

* Deakin College

* Monash University

* Swinburne University

* University of Melbourne

* William Angliss Institute

Next year we hope representatives from La Trobe Uni, Vic Uni and Holmesglen Institute will be able to attend VSC Careers Expo 24 providing more positive opportunities and engaging pathways for our students.

VET and VCE VM Information Evening – Wednesday 26th July 6pm in the Fallon Centre

Pathways will be hosting the annual VET and VCE VM information session for anyfuture Year 10 or 11 students interested in studying a VET subject as part of their VCE program. All new VET students are encouraged to attend this event with their parents to learn more about Vocational Education and Training (VET), course offerings, how the program runs and advantages VET can provide to your senior pathway. Potential Year 11 VCE VM (Vocational Major) students are equally encouraged to attend this session.

Information about the VM program will be covered in the second half of this session. VET is the primary course students must select to be able to achieve the VM certificate in-conjunction with a structured VM program consisting of: Literacy, Numeracy, Work Related Skills and Personal Development units.

To assist in planning, please register your interest in attending this informative event with the General Office or email Pathways: stevensj@vermontsc.vic.edu.au

Year 12 My Future Pathways Journey sessions

Pathways will be hosting My Future Pathways Journey sessions for all Year 12 students the first week of August. These sessions align with VTAC (Victorian Tertiary Admission Centre) opening for 2024 applications and is designed to identify students intended pathways post-secondary school. All students are encouraged to bring their laptops to these interactive sessions.

Year 12 students have two options to choose from:

1. Tertiary Pathway (University or TAFE)

2. Alternative Pathway (Apprenticeship, Traineeship, full time work, seeking work, ADF GAP year) Students selecting

1. Tertiary Pathway are encouraged to sign up to VTAC to create their account (must have obtained a USI number (Unique Student Identifier) www.usi.gov.au and have any Visa documentation) to assist in creating their VTAC accounts.

All students intending to take a Gap year in 2024 are encouraged to submit a VTAC application and defer from their offered course for 12 months following the institutions deferment policy. Note: there are some courses such as Medicine which cannot be deferred due to the competitive nature of the course and limited places. Current Year 12 students have more course places than non-Year 12 applicants plus they will get the support from the pathways team to help maximise course offering if they apply then defer.

During the House sessions we will also start the application process submitting at least one course preference in an area of interest enabling access to SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme), Scholarship and Personal Statement tabs on VTAC. SEAS and Scholarship have an early closing date of 6th October whereas most course preferences can be added, subtracted or moved around the preference listing prior to the release of the December offer. Note: Direct entry into Medicine at Monash and all Fine Arts and Creative Arts courses at Melbourne cannot be added beyond September due to allocation of interviews, folios etc.

Each Year 12 student will have an individual counselling session or small group session if the theme area applies to several students, to help support them adding the remaining 7 courses including at least one pathway course, to ensure they are offered a course of interest during the offer rounds. We also offer support in writing SEAS Impact Statements and Statement of Supports, Scholarship applications and Personal Statement to maximise course offer potential.

2. Alternative Pathways students will meet separately with Pathways staff to discuss, explore, support and document their individual pathways needs.

Year 10 Pathways > Careers Fast Track (CFT)

There are a number of Year 10 students that have not completed the CFT quizzes! This invaluable process helps students think about and plan for the future, setting goals and selecting subjects in senior school that align with their future pathways We have refined this process further so students only need to complete the Career area interest & Personality quiz to enable a CFT interview with Rob. PERSONALITY QUIZ HERE

Head Start

The Head Start model is now available at VSC offering secondary school students the opportunity to do on the job training that leads to a qualification whilst completing their studies at school. Head Start is designed to give students the confidence, capabilities and skills that employers in growth industries need.

The Head Start program recognises students learn in different ways, have different passions and empower their own career choices. Head Start students receive:

Career planning advice from VSC career practitioners to find the right pathway
A Head Start pathway plan is tailored to the specific needs of the student and the employer
One-on-one support from a Department of Education Head Start Coordinator to keep students on the right track
Quality assured training through TAFE’s and Skills First contracted providers
A Secondary certificate such as the VCE, VCE Vocational Major or VPC
Significant progress towards or completion of a trade qualification
Payment of a fair training wage
A tailored pathway into a priority industry career

Head Start provides supports for students whilst they undertake a school-based apprenticeship, traineeship across a range of key industries including building, construction, community services, health, business, technology, and primary industries. Head Start matches students with employers that have genuine workforce needs and helps employers to build their future workforce.

Students undertake a work trial to make sure the placement suits all parties. Depending on the employer and student needs a Head Start apprentice or trainee can increase their hours of paid employment as they progress their studies. For example a student might have employment for:

one day per week in Year 10
2 days a week in Year 11
2-3 days per week in Year 12

Head Start apprentices and trainees are able to work at their place of employment on weekends and in the school holidays and depending on the stage of their training plan, can transition into full time apprenticeship or traineeship once they leave school. Year 12 may be completed over 2 years if required on a reduced subject load. Head Start also supports students in their first year post-secondary school, to help the transition into full time training and employment an easier process.

If you interested in discussing the Head Start program more and would like to meet with the regional Head Start Coordinator please contact Pathways. Students will need to complete an expression of interest form and are encouraged to watch the compilation video https://vimeo.com/543441634/d0542cc9d8

Year 9 Morrisby Assessment

All year 9 students are invited to participate in the Morrisby Online assessment in Week 7 during two Maths or English classes. A Compass event and information with parental permission will be released soon to Year 9 families.

Morrisby Online forms part of the Year 9 My Careers Portfolio where students complete a series of online literacy, numeracy, spatial, personality and interest quiz questions to help curate ideas for future pathways and careers based on each student’s ability and aptitude. Students will also attend an individual counselling session with a Morrisby trained practitioner to unpack the Morrisby Portfolio throughout September.

Work Experience

Work experience participation is optional at VSC, however we strongly encourage all students aged 15yrs+ to get involved in this very beneficial and rewarding program. Students can undertake Work Experience every year until they graduate VSC.

Work experience provides young people with a taste of the real world of work and a clearer understanding of a particular industry, field or business they may be interested in pursuing in the future. It assists in career discovery and exploration, goal setting and decision making whilst preparing students for senior school, future tertiary studies, apprenticeship/traineeships or full time work.

There are no designated time frames for students to complete placements as we believe a flexible delivery arrangement provides students with a better opportunity to meet the availability and operational time frames of businesses and industries within the community. This also means we are not competing with other local schools which can limit student’s placement opportunities.

Placement dates are arranged through consultation and negotiation between the employer, school and student to maximise the experience.

Drop into Pathways to discuss further and collect the ‘Preparing for the Workplace’ pack.

Certificates & Traineeships add value to the VCE

All accredited external VCE subjects such as Dance, Drama and Languages contribute to the VCE. Students are required to present the Assessing School Notification Form to Pathways for enrolment on VASS the VCE software program.

Some certificates and traineeships in Retail, Hospitality and Sports Coaching undertaken as part of employment can often provide credits towards the VCE. Eg. McDonalds, KFC, Hungry Jacks or similar retail or hospitality environment are encouraged to bring in the training plan or completed certificate with statement of results for this information to be added to the VCE VASS software database.

Inclusion students

Aspergers Victoria are offering a ‘Teen Work KnowHow’ program with a pathway for teens to understand themselves in the world of work, including the development of positive job readiness skills that are practical, empowering and specific to each individual learning styles. Students also receive supported work experience placements in the July and September school holidays. Students who participate in this program leave with more career understanding, improved self-confidence and useful tools to help map their own working future. Click on the link for further information and resources. https://aspergersvic.org.au/

ADF Gap Year Program Open for Enrolment

A Gap Year in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) is a unique opportunity for students to experience life in the Navy, Army or Air Force without needing to make a long-term commitment.

The skills obtained through a 12-month ADF Gap Year program will provide them with experiences that are completely transferable and will help them develop confidence for their next endeavours.

Students who take part in the ADF Gap Year program will grow and develop in a dynamic, supportive and people-focused environment. They will:

• Gain valuable skills and work experience

• Enjoy a great salary package plus free healthcare

• Live a varied, active and healthy lifestyle

• Make friends with like-minded people

• Have the opportunity to see more of Australia

There are a variety of roles for students to select from. These include experiences in management, engineering, logistics and warehousing, combat and security, and administration.

Browse over fifteen roles  available for students

Work Experience & Employment Opportunities

Work Experience > Air conditioning placement opportunity in Bayswater with potential for apprenticeship

Apprenticeships > students must be 18yrs and have their drivers licence

Commercial Refrigeration apprenticeship available located in Scoresby

Carpentry apprenticeship available for family business in Wheelers Hill

Pathways Website – www.vscpathways.com

Did you know VSC has its own careers website? It’s a ‘One Stop Shop’ for everything you need to assist with Career planning, research, information and help, available 24 hours a day. To access the website please click on the link vscpathways.com or go to the VSC website and click on the Pathways tab. Features: