Careers News

By Mr Brett Steeples, Head of Academic Performance and Pathways/Coordinator -Science

Know someone looking for an apprenticeship or traineeship?

MEGT provide employment and training options for school students and school leavers. They have an online Job Board listing school based apprentice and trainee opportunities. Check it out and see your Career Counsellor/Guidance Officer/VET coordinator if you have any questions.

Looking for information about apprenticeships and traineeships?

Apprenticeship Central is a job search site where apprentices and employers can connect. Its aim is to provide a space for users to search for opportunities and also connects job seekers with employers. If you are looking for an apprenticeship or traineeship you can register and be notified of current vacancies.

The website has a Resources section where you can find information on creating a resume, videos and blogs, what's the best career fit and frequently asked questions.

Videos about apprenticeships and traineeships

SkillsOne TV has a collection of videos showcasing skills, trades and industries. If you click on ‘Skills Bites’ (scroll down the left-hand menu) you can get a taste of skills and trades in 15 seconds.

Pass the Australian Defence Force (ADF) fitness test

Many competitive applicants miss out on their ADF career opportunity because they don’t meet the pre-enlistment fitness assessment. During the application process you’ll be assessed through (1) completion of a questionnaire relating to your medical history, (2) a physical examination, and (3) a Pre-entry Fitness Assessment (PFA). During the PFA you’ll need to be able to complete a specified number of exercises. It's vital that you continue to maintain an appropriate level of fitness throughout your application process (playing school and club sport usually doesn’t make you fit enough). Are you fit to join the Australian Defence Force brochure will assist you to start preparing for the ADF fitness assessment?

Want to be a pilot in the Australian Defence Force?

The Defence Jobs website (scroll down) has information about being a pilot in the Air Force. You can find out:

An overview of the job
Pilot pathway
Salary
Services and benefits
Full job details

You will also be able to see Explore the Air Force in 360.

Work experience program

The Defence Work Experience Program provides young Australians interested in Defence as a future career, the opportunity to sample life in Defence and learn more about the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the Australian Public Service (APS). For queries about the Defence Work Experience Program please email: Defence.WorkExperienceProgram@defence.gov.au Click here for more information on the Defence Work Experience Program including Who is it for?, Placements and How do I apply?

Projecting employment to 2026

Assessing what jobs and skills will be in demand over the coming years is a key focus of the National Skills Commission. The National Skills Commission's latest projections covering growth between November 2021 and November 2026 show that jobs growth will be highest in service industries and in jobs requiring higher level qualifications. Click here to read more about:

job growth over the next five years by Industry
job growth over the next five years by Occupation
More than nine out of 10 jobs will require further study after school
Where the job opportunities will be

So what are skills clusters?

According to the Australian Government Jobs and Skills Australia website, skills clusters show clusters of similar specialist tasks. These tasks are broadly transferable – if you can do one task in the cluster, you can likely do the others. Skills clusters are a new way of looking at the labour market at a ‘deeper’ level than occupational classifications or qualifications. It shows how skills are related and connected to one another and are not just connected to a specific job. It provides you with a new way to explore skills transferability.

While these tasks are broadly transferable, this should not be taken as a measure of overall similarity or direct transferability between occupations that utilise these skills. Further, skills clusters do not take into account qualifications, registration or licencing required to undertake certain tasks.

Some ideas on how To Break Into The Film Industry

Few other industries hold the allure of Hollywood, with its powerful and influential A-list. But while big-name actors will always steal the spotlight (pun intended), entertainment jobs range from the creative to the practical to the commercial.

Where there’s an actor, there’s an agent. Where there’s a set, there’s a director. And a PA. And a location scout. And on and on. Saying you work in Hollywood can mean you work in any number of fields, from production to management to publicity.

Click here to read about how ten insiders broke into the film industry with some of the tips being:

Create your own work and don’t be afraid to cast yourself
Being a production assistant is a great entry-level job
Stay focused, no matter what
Above all, build a network

Some tips for success in media industry

The following are twelve tips that may assist you in finding jobs in the media:

Don't wait - do it now
It's all about skills, getting and building on them
Put your hand up for the opportunity to gain experience
Be capable - work hard and think through problems and issues
Be reliable
Be likeable - get along with people (you don't need to be their first best friend or anything!)
Consider further study
Go regional - there are shortages of radio presenters in regional areas
Keep an eye on new delivery systems - streaming and podcasting
Not all media jobs are in the 'media'
Not all media jobs are public facing jobs so look around for opportunities
Be positive and open minded at all times!

Although these tips are for the media industry, they can be adapted to other industries you may be interested in finding a job in.

Rural and Regional Enterprise Scholarships

Although you can't apply for the Regional Scholarships for 2024 until you commence university, it is a good idea to start your research and preparation so that when they do open you are organised. Scholarships support flexible study arrangements and are available to eligible students that:

meet Australian citizenship or residency requirements
are commencing a new course of study in the same year as the relevant scholarship round
can provide evidence of financial need
have a permanent home address in a regional or remote area, as defined by the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) 2016

Eligible students may receive up to $18,000 each (e.g. for a full-time, four-year qualification). Shorter, part-time qualifications are paid on a pro rata basis. An extra $500 is also available to support an internship. Click here for more information on the benefits, eligibility and selection criteria and to see when 2023 applications open.

UQ Ramsay Undergraduate Scholarships

Applications for the Ramsay Undergraduate scholarship schemes will open on 12 June 2023 and close on 30 July 2023. Up to thirty scholarships of $30,000/year for the duration of the program (up to 5.5 years) are offered to high achieving students who study Western Civilisation at The University of Queensland in 2024. One eligibility criteria for a scholarship is that students must study one of the following programs:

Bachelor of Advanced Humanities (Honours) (Western Civilisation) or
Bachelor of Humanities (Western Civilisation)/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

To apply for a scholarship, students must submit their application to the university by closing date and be an Australian Citizen or Australian Permanent Resident at the time of application. Click here for further eligibility and application criteria. If you are creative and intellectually curious with the critical skills to think bigger and broader in this culturally, politically and digitally diverse world, you may be interested in this option.

5 career tips for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students

Working out what your career will look like is challenging for everyone. Click here to read about 5 career tips for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders including:

Develop your emotional intelligence
Build your networks
Get that internship/work experience
Find mentors
Lifelong learning doesn't really hurt!

Book a First Nations Peoples QUT campus tour

The Oodgeroo Unit is QUT's First Nations Peoples' student support centre committed to developing better access to university education for First Nations Peoples. Talk to the Oodgeroo Unit to book a campus tour or speak with your Guidance Officer/School Counsellor to arrange a presentation.

UQ's InspireU UQ camps

The InspireU Tertiary Experience Camps provide Indigenous high school students with an experience to see life as a UQ student. Camps, held over 5 consecutive days, see you stay at a campus college and participate in university and cultural activities. During camp, you will have the opportunity to:

Find out what area of study you are interested in from expert staff and industry partners
Learn about what success and support services are available to students
Participate in fun and interactive workshops

The following InspireU Spring Camps will be held from June through to September:

Applications open later in the year and register your interest by emailing atsis@uq.edu.au.