Rebecca Ambrose

Careers Counsellor | Teacher

Another year ends and so much still happening… A terrific number of our Year 12s have secured full time jobs, traineeships and apprenticeships before they finished their schooling. Many have secured early entry to their chosen university or institution including (Australian National University, Queensland University of Technology, JCU, CQU, Griffith University, Australian Film Television & Radio School, University of Southern Qld and more to come on Friday 18 Nov – when the first offers are released for our Year 12 graduates. There is another offer round December 22 and the major round on January 12. Students and families are reminded there is a very short time to respond to offers – 5 days only for the January offers.

For our graduates needing a hand finding a job, there are many services out there including (not an exhaustive list…):

Job Find www.jobfind.com.au They are now offering the free program Transition to Work

Link and Launch Post School Support – Yr 12s met coordinator Ben Holt during the year. Link and Launch is a free service supporting young people who have completed Year 12 and are wanting to take their next step into study, training or work. You can get individual support to navigate the system and make a successful transition. Support includes:

assistance in writing your resume, applying for jobs and interview preparation
help to enrol in training courses or Skilling Queenslanders for Work programs
access to free apprenticeships and traineeships
finding alternative entry pathways to university

Ben Holt (Coordinator) Telephone: (07) 40 815285 or 0436 684280 Email: bholt43@eq.edu.au

School Leavers Information Service - School Leavers Information Service

Are you aged between 15 and 24 and looking for career guidance? Call 1800 CAREER (1800 227 337). Or SMS 'SLIS2022' to 0429 009 435.

Our information officers will help you:

navigate the School Leavers Information Kit (SLIK),
access and use the Your Career website and tools; and
find relevant support services if needed.

You may also be referred to a qualified career practitioner for a 45-minute personalised career guidance session. Our career practitioners will provide information, advice and assistance relating to a wide range of matters, such as career planning and management, training and studying, and looking for work. You can call to book your session on 1800 CAREER (1800 227 337) Monday to Friday, from 9am to 7pm (AEST). Sessions with a career practitioner can be booked from Monday to Friday, 9am to 7pm. This is a free service, however minimal call/text costs may apply.

2023 school leavers' guide to jobs and training - The 2023 school leavers' guide to jobs and training is now available. In this guide you can find information about:

Tools and resources to explore career options
Vocational training and further study
Subsidised training and incentives
Industry specific career exploration
Assistance with finding a job
Gain on the job experience
Mental and physical wellbeing support for young people
Support for young people with cancer
Support for Year 13 Indigenous youth
Preparing for work
My future, My choice videos
Link and Launch
Support for young people living out of home

Our Year 9 students represented themselves, their families and St Mary’s extremely well in their VPG interviews for their 2023 Work Experience Program. They were so prepared, well presented and showed great maturity in their interviews. Congratulations to our students and thanks to families and staff who helped our Year 9s get ready for this exciting program. I encourage students to keep checking emails as some students will have follow up emails from VPG regarding their placements. Placement details will be provided to our students mid Term 1 2023.

I hope you all have a restful and enjoyable Christmas and New Years. I look forward to working with you in 2023.

QTAC – Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre

QTAC recently put out this information on Busting the Myths about Selection Ranks –this will be of interest to our students heading into senior and beyond who are considering university entrance:

Many students working hard to get into a chosen course will be aiming for that magic number – the selection rank ‘cut-off’ (or minimum selection threshold) which may make them eligible for their course.

A selection rank is the rank required for eligibility for entry into a particular course of study. The selection rank is determined by using an applicant’s ATAR, qualifications and other adjustment factors. The flowchart below summarises how selection ranks are determined.

Selection ranks and how they are used by institutions to select applicants are not simple. We’ve included links to information on the QTAC website.

MYTH #1 The ATAR is your selection rank

The ATAR itself is not a selection rank. The ATAR is an achievement measure of how you ranked against all other year 12s in your cohort. As an achievement measure, it is profiled against a specific schedule to give a selection rank. It just so happens that the value of that selection rank is the same as the ATAR. For many school leavers the ATAR will be their only input into a selection rank if no other adjustments apply.

MYTH #2 Rank adjustments are added to your ATAR to increase your ATAR

No. Adjustments are added to the ATAR selection rank to determine the final selection rank. The ATAR itself stays the same. In the past rank adjustments were sometimes referred to as ‘bonus points’.

MYTH #3 All institutions use the same criteria to calculate your selection rank

No. Institutions have different rules for applying adjustments to a selection rank and adjustments are often course specific. Find out more about adjustments and the selection rank profile.

MYTH #4 The selection rank for a course is always the same every year

No. The published minimum selection threshold is based on the previous year’s Semester 1 intake period and varies from year to year. The minimum selection threshold is the minimum adjusted score (rank) that was required for an offer of a place. The minimum selection threshold was previously referred to as a ‘cut-off’. Minimum selection thresholds vary from year to year, and from offer round to offer round, depending on the number and quality of applicants a course receives.

MYTH #5 If you do a VET subject you automatically get a certain selection rank

Some institutions (not all) may consider completed VET qualifications, at Certificate III level and higher, as a basis of tertiary admission. The VET qualification will be assessed as a stand-alone qualification according to a schedule and given a selection rank. Find out more about VET qualifications for tertiary entrance and individual institution schedules.

MYTH #6 Only year 12 applicants can use VET for their selection rank

No. Anyone who applies to QTAC, including non-year 12s, will have their VET qualifications assessed as part of their application in the same way as all other applicants. Institution policies will determine how the selection rank from VET qualifications are used.

FAQ – Where can I find out what selection rank is needed for a course?

Use QTAC’s Course Search to find a course. Each Course Search entry shows a selection rank profile reflecting the selection rank required in the previous year’s January offer round. Information is published for every domestic entry undergraduate course that uses the selection rank wholly or partly, in the tertiary admission process.

Contact QTAC for more information Call 1300 467 822

Free apprenticeships for under 25s

Are you under 25 years of age and looking for an apprenticeship? If you choose a high priority apprenticeship or traineeship, the Queensland Government will cover the cost of your training with a training provider. Your employer will pay your wages but you might have to meet costs related to any uniform or other training resources. To be eligible, you must be under 25 and commence, or be undertaking, your training between 1 January 2021 and 30 June 2023. Click here for more information including the 139 priority apprenticeship and traineeship qualifications.

Pre-apprenticeship courses through TAFE Queensland

Pre-apprenticeship training is an entry-level Certificate. It is made up of traditional classroom learning on a TAFE campus as well as hands-on work experience. Doing a pre-apprenticeship course has many advantages including:

Helping you gain skills and a basic understanding of the job and industry
Improving your chances of gaining an apprenticeship as an employer is more likely to take on someone who has some knowledge of the industry and the basic skills required
Saving time on your apprenticeship, as part of the first stage of apprenticeship training is completed within the pre-apprenticeship course.

If you are interested in starting a full-time pre-apprenticeship course in January 2023 click here for a list of pre-apprenticeship courses on offer at SkillsTech and application information.

Resources to help you get an apprenticeship or traineeship

Want an apprenticeship or traineeship? Don’t know where to start? The following websites will help:

Steps to an Australian Apprenticeship on the Australian Apprenticeships Pathways website
Job Hunting for Australian Apprenticeships on the Australian Apprenticeships Pathways website
Apprenticeships and Traineeships on the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training
Apprenticeship Central has a job search function specifically for apprenticeships and traineeships. It also has a resume builder

What's involved in an apprenticeship or traineeship?

It is best to start an apprenticeship or traineeship with all the information needed to support your journey and come out with a nationally recognised qualification and skills set. The Queensland Department of Employment, Small Business and Training provides valuable information for both employers, apprentices and trainees. Information for apprentices and trainees include:

About the training contract
About the training plan
About the training record
Address problems
Amend the training contract
Complete the training contract
Cancel the training contact

Defence Information Sessions in November

Below are the ADF information sessions for November and December with further information found on their Facebook site or by visiting their events webpage. The events are:

22/11/2022 Cairns: Army Reserves Information Session

Thinking about joining the ADF?

If you are thinking about joining the ADF now or when you leave school, keep in mind that it can be a lengthy process involving several stages. Click here to read more about each stage and how best to prepare yourself. The stages are:

Apply online
Attend virtual YOU session (Your Opportunities Unlimited) Session
Attend Assessment Session
Attend Officer Selection (if this is your chosen options)
Take a fitness test
Attend enlistment/appointment day

8 in-demand jobs that don't need long-term study

Seek.com writes many people have found that jobs have been redefined or that people are considering a complete shift in career because of the changes they've faced over the last two years of the pandemic. In the job market, employers may be more open to job seekers who don’t necessarily have the previous work experience if they have the right skills. Click here to read about these 8 in-demand jobs that don’t require any long-term study:

Advice about your child's career journey for parents

Are you worried that your teen has to make what seems like life's biggest decision right now, when they're not even old enough to vote! Skillsroad argue that it's alright if your child hasn't got it all figured out just yet. In fact, it's alright if they haven't got anything figured out yet. Take it from Charlene Vaughan, Skillsroad program manager, who says she had many, many jobs before she settled on doing what she loves with Skillsroad, late in her 20's. She says, "it's about the journey, not speeding to the destination'. Click here (scroll down) to listen to her podcast and find out about:

The benefits of the elusive gap year
Why university shouldn't be the ‘default’
Tips and tools to help your teen be work-ready
The joys of learning from mistakes

Where to find information about jobs

myfuture website - Sign up for free if this is your first time on the website. Go to the Occupations section and search for your job of interest. Click on the ‘Prospects’ tab.
Labour Market Insights provides occupational information including job prospects and information about your local labour market.
The Australian Department of Education, Skills and Employment provides information on Early Childhood, Schooling, Higher Education, Skills and Training, Employment and International Education.
The Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment - National, State and Territory skill shortage information provides skill shortage lists for the state, territory and national levels.
Australian Jobs 2021 provides an overview of trends in the Australian labour market. It supports students, career advisers, job seekers and those considering future training and work.

Some cautions:

Fast growth within an occupation does not guarantee more job opportunities because the number of people seeking work may outnumber the job openings.
Even occupations with declining job prospects can offer job opportunities as people move across jobs.
It is difficult to accurately predict long term job prospects. Unexpected events such as the pandemic, can have an enormous impact on the labour market.

Consequently, when you are making career decisions, a job's prospect is just one piece of information you need to consider. Other information includes your interests, skills, values, aspirations, work preferences, education and training requirements.

15 Top Qualities Employers Look for in Job Candidates

Throughout the interviewing process, job seekers use work experience and accomplishments to show that they have the qualifications that employers are looking for. While hard skills (such as technical training and education) are important, employers also seek soft skills or interpersonal skills that directly influence what kind of employee each person will be. In this article, Indeed review 15 qualities employers seek and discuss ways you can highlight these qualities during and after the hiring process. Click here to read about:

Ambition
Communication
Confidence
Critical thinking
Dependability
Determination
Eagerness to learn
Flexibility
Honesty
Positivity
Loyalty
Problem-solving
Self-reliance
Teamwork
Work ethic

2022 Skills Priority List

The 2022 Skills Priority List is now available as a digital interface as well as a downloadable report. Findings from the 2022 list show that 31% of occupations assessed are in shortage (286 out of 914). The remaining 628 occupations are rated as ‘NS’ (no shortage) at a national level, although some of these occupations are in shortage in some states and territories. Click here to find out more about the key findings, the priority skills list and FAQ's.

Connected jobs and training for school leavers

Connected - jobs and training, is a Group Training Organisation offering traineeships and apprenticeships opportunities suitable for school leavers. If you are wanting an apprenticeship, traineeship, go straight to work or a gap year work option, check out their website to see what's on offer. Click here to find out more.

Do you have your elevator pitch ready for an employer?

The online world has fast become the “elevator” of today, where we have just a few lines of text on a computer screen to make a striking impact on potential employers. With more pressure on people’s time than ever before, recruiters and employers can benefit from knowing your unique experiences, ambitions, and strengths in 25 words or less. SEEK.com has put together some ideas to make your Personal Summary the lasting first impression it should be. Written for current job seekers, they suggest that everyone should develop their 'elevator speech'. Click here to check out their tips and examples to help you stand out from others.

Skills for getting a job – full-time/part-time/casual

The following are resources you can access to help you gain the skills you need for your job search:

Applying for a Job the Youth Central website has information and examples for developing a resume and writing cover letters as well as other tips to help you get a job and more.
I’m looking for a job the Job Jumpstart website has information on most job search strategy. It can help you build your resume.
Advice and Tips visit the Seek website to check out for tips on job search. Seek also has a job search function.
Career Advice the Careerone website has useful tips on job hunting, interview preparation, resumes and job interviews.
The Job Hunting section on the Australian Apprenticeships Pathways website has a step-by-step approach to gaining an apprenticeship or traineeship.
Start an apprenticeship or traineeship the Queensland Apprenticeship Info website has ideas on how to gain an apprenticeship or traineeship.
Apprenticeship Central has a job search function specifically for apprenticeships.

The 5 Biggest Business Trends For 2023

Businesses have faced huge challenges and have undergone an incredible amount of change over the past few years and this won’t slow down in 2023. Businesses will have to deal with the aftereffects of the global pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, economic challenges, as well as an ever-faster development of technologies. Read about the trends Bernard Marr from LInkedin believes will have the greatest day-to-day impact on the way we work and do business in 2023 including:

Accelerated digital transformation
Inflation and supply chain security
Sustainability
Immersive customer experience
The talent challenge

Study in the UK

The British Council has information to help you organise your options for studying in the UK. The UK offers a world-renowned education system while broadening your understanding of yourself and the world. If you want to go to the UK to study, the Council can help you find a course that best suits your career plans. Click here to find the answers to the following questions:

Thinking of studying in the US?

With nearly 3,000 four-year institutions in the US, it might be tempting to apply to as many as possible. You may even think that the more applications, the better chances of getting in. While there is some truth to this statement, it’s not necessarily the best method. So, how many schools should you apply to? Crimson Education suggests that while there is no exact formula or a perfect number of schools to submit your applications to, most students apply to 4-8 universities. So, how do you narrow down your options to create a college list? Following are some questions about the number of colleges you should apply to and how to build your list of prospective colleges. Click here to read the answers to:

Is there a limit on how many colleges you can apply to?
Is there an advantage to applying to too many colleges?
What are the factors to consider before applying to colleges?
How many colleges should you apply to?
How to choose your UCAS Courses (UK Universities)

Job Opportunity