Careers
Careers Report
BrainSTEM 12 week Food & Fibre challenge
The Lowanna teams have been busy meeting up with their mentors to brainstorm ideas for their industry problem solving challenge. The local industries that our Lowanna students are working with is Agriculture Victoria and Flavourite. Students conducted site visits to learn about the industry problem, develop ideas, look at what research will be needed and what solutions could be achieved to reach an outcome. Our students are very lucky to be working with Pablo Alvarez Hess, Research Scientist, Agriculture Victoria and Karen Swanepoel IPM (Integrated Pest Management) Flavorite Hydroponic Tomatoes. What a great opportunity for our students to be immersed into industry using their skills and knowledge to come up with a solution to a real life problem.
STEM Sisters – Industry site visit
Our STEM sisters visited local industries to explore careers in the STEM field. The industries included Gippsland Water, AGL-Loy Yang A Power Station and Latrobe Regional Hospital. Our students toured the Gippsland Water Factory, Loy Yang A Power station and the Prosthetics, Orthotics and Radiation Oncology areas at Latrobe Regional Hospital. We got to hear from female employees who shared how they built their careers in STEM - science, technology, engineering and maths. Some of the amazing experiences the students had included looking at the water treatment process from the beginning to the final product which is the water we drink! At AGL students participated in a ‘speed date’ lunch where they had 3 minutes to ask a female employee questions about their careers. After 3 minutes students then spoke to a different female employee, resulting in the opportunity to speak with 6 inspiring women who are very successful in the STEM field. During our visit to AGL our local member of parliament the Honourable Darren Chester joined us for the event. One of our students was interviewed on Win TV about the experience-Good job Mai-Ling… At Latrobe Regional Hospital visiting the ‘Prosthetics and Orthotics’ area, students witnessed how to make a prosthetic leg and the steps around rehabilitation for patients. We then went to the Radiation Oncology ward and had hands on experience of the equipment used. A huge thank you to Baw Baw Latrobe LLEN, Gippsland Water, AGL and Latrobe Regional Hospital for making this event possible. This excursion was amazing, our students loved participating and represented Lowanna in great manner. Well done girls!
VEET Program
Our students in the VEET program took part in a hands-on day at the Gippsland Tech School They participated in three activities around virtual reality, renewable energy generation and electronic circuits, as well as a resume writing lesson via Skype. AusNet presentation was aimed to educate students about the expectations of applying for apprenticeships/traineeships, minimum requirements on resumes and interview tips. This event was the last excursion for this program with only the celebration evening to come. VEET has been a fantastic program that has supported our students to gain an understanding about the energy industry and the careers available within it.
A huge thank you to AusNet, AGL and Baw Baw Latrobe LLEN for making this program possible.
Young Workers Centre
The Young Workers Centre is a one-stop-shop for young workers who want to learn more about their rights at work or who need assistance in resolving workplace issues. The Centre also provides personalised advice for young people who have come across issues at work such as unfair dismissal, bullying and harassment. Our Year 12 VCAL, Year 11 VCAL and Year 10 PreCal students had sessions with Danielle and Shauna to discuss a number of work place issues and looked at scenarios that can help students understand workplace rights.
Year 12 VCAL Mock Interviews
A huge thank you to AGA Apprenticeships Plus Field Officer Joe Baldachino who conducted ‘mock interviews’ with our Year 12 VCAL students. This was a great opportunity for the students to experience a ‘real-life’ interview, answer interview questions and receive feedback that will help in future interviews.
Morrisby Year 9 Career Advisory Service
Our Year 9 Morrisby Career Counselling interviews took place last week. It was an awesome effort with 121 students sitting the interview with a Careers Practitioner to discuss their report. The report helps them gain an understanding of their aptitudes, interests, as well as work and learning styles.
Students received a printed copy of their report during their interview to take home. I really encourage parents to have conversations with your child about this report and what was discussed. I am certain you will be very pleased with how much information students have received relating to their pathways and career choices going forward.
Well done to those students who participated.
Students and Parents can access the report via the below link. All students have their log in credentials.
VTAC – applications open 5th August
The Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria. Applications opened on Monday 5th August. Students have received several presentations and supporting information surrounding this. Staff will be available for support during Home Groups to those students which to put an application in and have any questions about this process.
Inspiring Young People's Health Dinner
Last night our students attended the 'Inspiring Young People's Health' dinner hosted by the Baw Baw Latrobe LLEN. The dinner was aimed at those students who have an interest in the health sector as a potential career in the coming years. We heard from a variety of guest speakers who addressed the audience about their journey, which included talking about challenges faced, opportunities along the way and how if our students work hard and are motivated anything is possible.
The room had an even spread of both students and health professionals which included nurses, paramedics, general practitioners, occupational therapists, radiologists, physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, and speech therapists to name a few. Students were placed at tables with the professionals from the health sector they were most interested in to enable interaction and prompt conversations. This was a fantastic opportunity for our students to ask lots of questions and hear amazing stories. Our students thoroughly enjoyed the evening an found it to be a very worthwhile experience.
Well done to Shae Hadland, Leila Raymond, Zamiya Lata and Wade Anderson for making the most of this opportunity and attending the dinner.
A special thank you to the Baw Baw Latrobe LLEN who organised this wonderful event!
University Open Days
Please see the link to the open days. Lowanna strongly encourages students interested to attend these open days. It’s a great chance to see the University first hand along with asking important questions and looking at the faci
Guest Speakers
The Academy of Interactive Entertainment (AIE)
Our last Guest Speaker for 2019 was The Academy of Interactive Entertainment (AIE). Did you know that AIE is the most awarded educator for the Game Development, Game Programming, 3D animation and VFX industries? Jared Mulconry who is a Communications Coordinator with AIE spoke with our students about the career and study opportunities with this field. Students heard about the career pathways into the film, game design, game development, 3D animation and VFX. Jared also showed the students what type of courses they could undertake to enter into this industry. Thanks Jared and AIE for helping our students gain an understanding into this sector.
We have had 18 guest speakers this year address our year 10, 11 & 12 students. This has been a fantastic program that has exposed our students to a vast array of careers. I would like to acknowledge and thank the guest speakers for supporting our students gain an understanding of their career and the opportunities within that field.
Kirsty Mitchell
Careers Coordinator
HEADSTART
Term 3 has presented Head Start Inner Gippsland with plenty of school engagement opportunities. Every school has hosted key engagement events such as VCAL/VCE Information sessions, Course Counselling and Career evenings. This provided Head Start with the opportunity to provide families with information about Head Start pathways and how it works to benefit students who are interested in a Head Start.
To date 17 students have commenced a Head Start Apprenticeship or Traineeship in a variety of industries within the Inner Gippsland region. We have a large number of students undertaking work placement to ensure the chosen industry is the right fit for them and likewise we look forward to these number flourishing.
Amanda McMahon is the Lowanna College’s Head Start coordinator who is employed by the Department of Education to support students from Lowanna College. Further information about the Head Start program is below and if you would like to speak to our team about the possibility of a Head Start, please contact us via head.start.innergippsland@edumail.vic.gov.au and we can arrange a suitable time to discuss the opportunity further with Lowanna's Head Start coordinator.
Regards
Tom Hallinan
Inner Gippsland Head Start Cluster Director
What is Head Start
Head Start is a new school based program that allows students to undertake a Certificate III or IV apprenticeship or traineeship qualification whilst completing Years 10, 11 and 12.
About Head Start
- Certificate III or IV fully indentured Apprenticeship/Traineeship
- Generally- 3 days school, 1 day paid workplace, 1 day training. At the completion of year 12 students will move into a fill time Apprenticeship/Traineeship (subject to individual needs of the business)
- Rolling Intakes- Head Start Apprenticeship/Traineeship can be started at any time as long as the student is 15 years of age.
Benefits of Head Start
- Students will partially complete their chosen Apprenticeship/Traineeship and obtain a senior secondary school certificate such as VCAL or VCE
- Apprentice is fully supported by a Head Start coordinator for the entire Apprenticeship/Traineeship.
How Can My Child / I Be Involved?
Students are encouraged to undertake work experience or work placement and be passionate and certain about their career choice. Families can email head.start.innergippsland@edumail.vic.gov.au to arrange an appointment with the Head Start coordinator at their school.