Lowanna College

Careers Update

Welcome back  

I hope all students and families had a wonderful break. 2022 promises to be an exciting year and something we can all look forward to together. Our students have demonstrated over the last 2 years adaptability and resilience, which are important skills they will take into the world of work. This year the Careers space will have lots of programs and events on offer, so I encourage students to participate with an open mindtoexplore all the possibilities available to them. 

 

New careers counsellor 

Alisha Disisto has joined the Lowanna College team and will work alongside myself in the Careers space.

 Alisha previously worked at Kurnai College and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience which will benefit our students. Alisha is very excited to start working with our students to help them research, plan and implement their career goals.  

 

I am deadly 

Is a program to enable young Koorie people in Latrobe to obtain knowledge, skills and opportunities for real and lasting outcomes in employment, further education and training. Lowanna College has several students in this exciting program. The students attend the program one day a week for 3 terms.  

 

In Term 1 the students get to experience a 

9-week Trade Taster,  which includes an Industry visit to several large industries to see Trades at work and meet with some of the tradespeople to hear about what they do. This also includes an opportunity to “try a trade” in the trades industry such as automotive, electrical, carpentry, plumbing, hospitality & hairdressing at TAFE Gippsland. 

 

During Term 2 the students will attend workshops aimed at developing employability skills to prepare them for future work opportunities. Workshops include team building, communication, industry visits, mock interviews, dressing for success, healthy minds, resume writing and career mapping. 

 

The final term will provide the bridge between developing work readiness and work experience. It involves coordinated assistance for students applying to one of the program’s partner employers to take part in a work experience opportunity.  

 

The aim of this work experience placement is to put into practice the work readiness skills developed in stage two of the program. 

 

What a great opportunity for our students involved in this program! I am positive they will represent Lowanna College in an exemplary manner and gain many skills while making new friends along the way. Congratulations to the students who are participating in this program. 

 

Project ready 

This program is a hands-on life and work readiness program designed to help you students get ready for the future world of work. The objective is to help young people prepare for their future. Project Ready is a full year program undertaking a VET course that includes a Certificate II with recognition for up to two units at 1 and 2 level for VCE or VCAL , giving students a great headstart! The program is run by a facilitator who had has experience in youth programs and development. Project Ready is an interactive, fun, engaging and inspiring program. 

 

Lowanna College has three Year 10 students involved in the program who are thoroughly enjoying it. Well done to these students who were willing to take a risk and try something new. It demonstrates their positive growth mindset! 

 

I am ready 

The ‘I am ready’ program is to enable young people in Gippsland with barriers to obtaining knowledge, skills and opportunities for real and lasting outcomes in employment, further education and training. The key objective of the program is to motivate and empower students to continue to engage with education and employment with a work readiness. This will be done while focussing on gaining confidence to pursue opportunities which will deliver real and lasting employment preparation for students.  

Students will attend the program one day a week for two terms with each term having a new stage in it.  

 

Stage 1 – I am exploring. This stage will deliver work readiness skill training through team building activities. Some of the activities include mock interviews, dressing for success, industry engagement and working with support services.  

 

Stage 2 – I am becoming ready. Here students will undertake some career activities and visit industries to discover the world of work.  

Lowanna College is represented by 3 students who have been very enthusiastic about this program. Congratulations!  

 

It is fantastic to see our students in the 3 programs stepping out of their comfort zone to try and experience new things!  

This sure does align with our school values of:    Respect Integrity Determination Growth and Excellence 

 

VCAL – Structured Work placements 

Our VCAL students have commenced their work placements over the last couple of weeks. Well done to those students who have sourced, completed paperwork, and contacted employers as this is a requirement of your VCAL certificate. Students who are in the workforce completing their structured work placements are building their employability skills and working profiles within our community.   

I would like to formally acknowledge and thank the following businesses who are hosting our students. This is greatly appreciated by the Lowanna College community: 

  • Firmins Lane Engineering 
  • Renford Automotive 
  • Transall Motors Pty Ltd 
  • Bluebird ELC Moe 
  • Walsh Plumbing and Drainage Pty Ltd 
  • Images Skin and Waxing Centre 
  • Noels Panel Works 
  • Apache  Projects 
  • Lilly Pilly Flower Boutique 
  • Delfab Engineering 
  • Contracting Kings 
  • Michael Anderson Plumbing 
  • Surfaceco Premium Flooring 
  • Vartel Joinery Group Pty Ltd 
  • Ventia - Yallourn Energy 
  • Livesey's Motor Works 
  • Custom Wrought iron Fencing 
  • MSA Mechanical Repairs 
  • Contracting Kings 
  • TTMI 
  • Delfab Engineering 
  • Kevin Leicester Plumbing 
  • DRS Building & Construction 
  • Bluebird Moe 
  • Contracting Kings 
  • Little Saints ELC Moe 
  • Craig White 
  • DRS Building 
  • R n R Hairdressing  
  • 4 Legs 2 Inspire 
  • Coffee Central Moe 
  • O'Connells Tyres Pty Ltd 
  • 4 Legs 2 Inspire 
  • Safetech 
  • Yallourn North Primary School 
  • Little Saints Early Learning 
  • Latrobe City - MELC 
  • William Adams CAT
  • RTL  
  • Traralgon Auto's Pty Ltd 
  • GA & KM Paul 
  • S & KM Fiddelaers Pty Ltd 
  • Built Pty Ltd 

Some students still have not found a placement. Please note this is a critical component of the VCAL program and students must find a work placement. If your child does not have a work placement, please speak with them about arranging it. Careers and the VCAL team are here to support students. 

 

Year 7 Learning to Learn – Careers sessions 

This week our Year 7’s are learning about Career Education and why this is so important. It is an opportunity for our students to learn more about themselves - their strengths and interests and find new ones along the way. As well as learning about themselves, our students will learn about the world of work through interactive activities. During the ‘Learning to Learn’ class students found out where the Careers room was, why it is there, and who is there to help them. Career exploration is an important step that students take in their career journey designed around a series of activities.   

 

Year 12 University Camp  

We are conducting a university camp which will occur from Wednesday 27th April until Thursday 28th April, with students given the opportunity to visit 3 Universities and the VCE Careers Expo to discover possible pathways for their career planning. The focus will be on students being able to explore and understand the different options for potential course selections moving into their final year of school. 

 

The universities will be conducting detailed presentations about courses, benefits and supports they offer. Students will also take part in campus tours and briefings about entry requirements. 

 

We will also visit Australia’s largest VCE Careers Expo which has 150 exhibitors. Students can research and gain resources from the stalls while being able to ask questions involving their pathway options. We will travel by bus and stay overnight in South Yarra enabling us to attend the VCE Careers Expo at Caulfield Racecourse at 9am Thursday 28th April.  

 

We are strongly encouraging all Year 12 VCE students to attend this camp.  

Permission notices went home this week.  

 

Part time work 

Are you looking for part time work? Do you need help with your resume? 

We can help you, so come and see us in the Careers room. 

Below are some links of businesses that you can apply: 

 Coles - https://careers.colesgroup.com.au/ 

IGA supermarkets - https://www.iga.com.au/careers/ 

Woolworths - https://www.wowcareers.com.au/ 

McDonalds -  https://mcdonalds.com.au/learn/careers#/ 

Kmart - https://careers.kmart.com.au/caw/en/listing/ 

Kentucky Fried Chicken - https://careers.kfc.com.au/ 

Hungry Jacks - https://www.hungryjacks.com.au/work-with-us 

Bunnings - https://www.bunnings.com.au/jobs 

 

Careers Support 

We are available as a support for students and parents with any questions or queries you have. Please feel free to contact the Careers team: 

 

Kirsty Mitchell ph: 51279225   or kirsty.mitchell@education.vic.gov.au  

 

Alisha Disisto   ph: 51279264   or alisha.disisto@education.vic.gov.au