VET and Careers News
Ms Elizabeth Kenny, Mr Peter Gaiter and Mrs Karen Andrews
Careers Information Bulletin – Something for Everyone!
There are so many fantastic and current career opportunities found in our fortnightly ‘Careers Information Bulletin’ located on the learning portal. Look for the latest edition, Edition 14: CLICK HERE
Pop Up Careers Stand
Last week students from Years 10 and 11 visited the “Pop up Careers Stand” where they had access to a range of publications that they could take to start looking at careers and courses of interest. The boys also had some fun playing on a Virtual Reality Headset, where they were able to virtually view “a day in the life of” careers such as a Park Ranger, Physiotherapist and Fire Fighter.
Vocational Education and Training News
Congratulations to the following students that have recently secured a school-based apprenticeship. Both boys showed outstanding employability skills during their work experience placement and as a result, both students secured school-based apprenticeships. Well done boys and enjoy your first pay packet!
Matthew Wheeley - Housing Industry Association
Lachlan Walker – Sexton Builders
This week Mrs Andrews hit the road and met with Finn De Nino’s employer Reece Brydon from Bryter Days Construction . Reece contacted the school in August this year to discuss a carpentry apprenticeship opportunity. After two days of work experience, Finn was offered a position with the company as a school-based apprentice. Finn will convert to a full-time apprentice with the company when he finishes school.
We asked Reece about his experience with recruiting through Marist College.
When we started looking for an apprentice we were a little worried with how hard it would be to find someone suited to us and our business. We contacted our training organisation, Blue Dog, who put us in contact with Marist College. The first student that was sent to us for work experience was Finn. We were blown away with how much he knew as a brand-new apprentice and how keen he was to know how everything worked on site. We were after someone that was wanting to learn and was excited to be there, and not just looking for a job. Finn has also impressed other subcontractors we have had on site, and we have been asked where we managed to find someone as helpful, which is great given he is just in his first year. – Reece Brydon
Finn was one of the many “Marist College Double Construction Immersion Program” students that have secured employment prior to leaving school. The unique trade-based employment program has been creating employment pathways (apprenticeships) for many students, averaging over 90% employment for the last ten years. The students complete a Certificate I in Construction which is coupled with an immersion day once a fortnight where the students go out on-site and perform apprentice-styled projects on one of the Marist houses, buildings or leisure areas. This provides the students with an introduction to the theory of construction coupled with exposure to practical tasks.
From the Work Experience Desk
Reece has also provided invaluable work experience opportunities for two of our Year 11 students, Beau Weaver and Ned Rosenbrock. The students were able to learn firsthand what a day in the life of a carpenter entailed. Work experience is an invaluable tool that assists students to gain an understanding of their chosen field and provides an insight of what employers expect of their workers. It also helps employers to see if a potential employee is suited to their business.
Work experience is a great way to fill current vacancies, recruit for future vacancies or to provide young people with an insight into a career of interest to them. We are always keen to hear from organisations that are willing to provide work experience opportunities to our students in all occupations. If your organisation or someone you know would be willing to host a student please email Karen Andrews @ Andrewsk@marash.qld.edu.au. The school covers the insurance during placement, and work experience can be a rewarding experience for both employer and student.
Key QTAC dates
Congratulations to the Year 12 students that have already received an early offer from a selection of universities. More offers are coming through and we look forward to hearing from the students as they receive this news.
Finishing Year 12 this year and looking for employment or training options?
The Department of Employment, Small Business and Training produce an informative e-newsletter “Connected jobs and training”. School leavers and their parents/guardians can keep up to date on job vacancies, training, industry and career information. To subscribe to receive regular updates from the department register via the code below.
