Industry Connect Centre

The Industry Connect Centre is located upstairs in the 400 Block (Library) and incorporates all aspects of student career development and employment pathways.

The team of Mr Grant Knowles, Mr Randolph Mar, Ms Melissa Farquhar and Ms

Brianna Reed is happy to discuss any aspects of employment and career with all

students. The Centre is open before school, recess and lunch or by appointment.

Kanahooka High School participates in the Educational Pathways Program. This is an innovative program designed to improve education and career outcomes for young people by introducing NSW public high school students to a range of vocational training and employment pathways.

The Educational Pathways Program complements existing careers education activities through the provision of additional resources, including two key roles; Head Teachers Careers and SBAT Engagement Officers, who work closely with schools to:

⦁ Ensure students have access to sound advice, great training pathways and rewarding work opportunities.

⦁ Promote SBAT opportunities, a proven pathway for students to successfully transition to work and/or further education.

⦁ Connect students with employers and provide tailored support throughout the SBAT journey.

⦁ Streamline delivery of the program across groups of schools.

⦁ Support students with barriers to education.

Industry Connect Centre Key Focus Areas:

⦁ Work Experience

⦁ School Based Apprenticeships/Traineeships (SBAT)

⦁ TAFE and External Vocational Training (EVET)

⦁ Job Readiness Programs

⦁ Learner Drivers Program

⦁ White Card (or general construction induction card) Training

⦁ University Admission including early entry programs

⦁ Back in the Game – Re-engaging students in education and post school pathways

⦁ Apprenticeship and Traineeship Head Start Programs

Work Experience

Work experience is a great way for students to develop their job-ready skills and find out more about what different workplaces and occupations are like. Students from Year 9 to 12 have the opportunity to participate in work experience throughout the year. Staff from the Industry Connect Centre can assist students with finding work experience placements and coordinate all aspects of the organisation to ensure the experience is enlightening and rewarding.

Students can visit the Industry Connect Centre in the 900 Block to complete an expression of interest and begin their journey into the workforce.

SBAT – School-Based Apprenticeship or Traineeship

A school-based apprenticeship or traineeship (SBAT) combines paid work, training and school; and as well as an industry recognised national qualification you will gain credit towards the HSC.

SBATs are available to all Year 10, 11 and 12 high school students in NSW. They allow students to commence an apprenticeship or complete a traineeship while at school.

Students interested in participating in a SBAT can visit the Industry Connect centre to find out more information. SBATs can be undertaken in a variety of industries including construction, childcare, hospitality, retail, health care and trades.

TAFE NSW Start Your Future

TAFE NSW’s Start Your Future helps students identify potential career pathways through vocational tasters in a wide range of industries, delivered at a local TAFE NSW campus.

The TAFE NSW Start your Future initiative gets students into a TAFE-style learning setting and exposes them to vocational education in an area they are considering for future study and/or work. This usually involves attending a TAFE NSW campus one day per week over several weeks.

Initiative activities include:

⦁ Taster courses in different industries leading to a TAFE NSW Statement in Start Your Future

⦁ Engagement with industry, possibly including visit to workplaces

⦁ Local funding to help with items such as PPE

Job readiness workshops

Engaging job readiness workshops that give students practical tips to help them prepare for their first job and inspire them to explore rewarding vocational career pathways.

The Job readiness workshops initiative is designed to introduce students to the world of work through fun, interactive activities. Delivered on site at school, the workshops cover everything from interview advice to grooming and wardrobe tips to help prepare students for their first jobs.

Initiative activities include:

⦁ Day-long workshops delivered on site at school

⦁ Optional Educational pathways VET ambassador appearance

Back in the Game

A referral service that provides specialist support to students to help them either re-engage with education, transition to vocational training or find employment.

The Back in the Game initiative provides professional support and mentoring for young people aged 15-19 who are not engaged with their education. The initiative is designed to help students overcome any barriers to their learning and then either re-engage with school or transition successfully to training or employment.

Initiative activities include:

⦁ Professional mentoring and counselling

⦁ Tailored career guidance with an emphasis on mapping out the student’s re-engagement with school or their transition to training or employment

⦁ Assistance to overcome barriers to learning (e.g. assistance with obtaining ID, travel assistance, etc.)

Apprenticeship and Traineeship Head Start

Group training organisations offer fee-free pre-apprenticeship and pre-traineeship courses that include work experience with host employers.