Learning about work

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On the completion of their school studies students may decide to continue their education, commence some training or enter the workforce. The Careers advisory service offers free advice for students who have just completed the HSC.

Some may do both through an apprenticeship, traineeship or cadetship. The NSW Department of Education and Training page Leaving School has information on the options available to your child when they leave school.

Career education

Young people face many choices when considering their future and employment. To make sure each student's career pathway is a smooth one, all schools offer Career education programs. Further career education support can be found at the following web sites:

  • Career Advice Australia is a portal from the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations providing advice for secondary students.
  • Community Active Careers is a career resource for the community services and health (CS&H) industries with career planning advice, disability support programs, skills shortages and more ...
  • MyFuture assists 16 to 24 year old students to explore their skills and interests, identify their career ideas, develop their career plan and research options for further study or training
  • The Transit site from Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations is also an excellent site for advice on senior school subject selection and careers education
  • Year 12 What Next? provides young people with up-to-date information about the vast array of post-school study options through vocational and technical education (VTE) and Australian Apprenticeships, as well as university.
  • Young People at Work from the NSW Office of Industrial Relations provides valuable information to young workers on their rights, responsibilities and new workplace laws.
  • youth.gov.au is an Australian Government career information portal providing a range of advice for young people planning a career.

Apprenticeships

Many schools also offer the option for students to start an apprenticeship while at school. The Australian Apprenticeships website provides information on how the national apprenticeships scheme works and list of useful links on apprenticeships. The NSW DET State Training Services adds to this with advice and support for apprenticeships and work-based training within NSW.

For even more background information consult training.com.au, which acts as a single point of access to the vast range of vocational education and training information, products and services in Australia.

VET for senior students

Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses are also available to students in Stage 6. These courses are designed for all students and are taught by teachers either at school or at TAFE.

VET courses allow students to gain nationally recognised qualifications while developing work related skills in a variety of industry areas and have the course contribute to their HSC. For nine of these courses it is also possible for students to attempt an optional examination and have that mark contribute to the calculation of their ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank).

Life after the HSC provides useful information on the direction your child may wish to take once they have completed Year 12.

Consult the Yr 12 what next? site for assistance with the wide array of training and education options facing your child after school.

If your child decides to continue their studies after school they will need to apply for courses. HSC online presents an informative overview of the application process for you at Application procedures for tertiary study.

For advice on continuing education in other states, the Leaving school site published by the Board of Studies NSW for the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Certification Authorities (ACACA), summarises the types of subjects, courses and various methods of assessing and reporting student achievement in each of the eight public education systems in Australia as well as in the New Zealand system.