collaboration, but also things like literacy and numeracy — the employability skills — they are hugely important. “The way we pitch it to the students is that competency in literacy and numeracy is not about having to pass an exam. If you want to get that dream job in the future. If you want to win that contract you have to know how to quote. You need to be literate to make money. “For a kid on a trade pathway, their passport will be more about those employability skills and the actual products they’ve created.” The passport system the college offers is working. The students already have their apprenticeship or traineeship secured while at school and a staggering 80% continue in that employment and training after school. “But if it is a university degree they would like to pursue, the skills and actual experience they have will allow them to choose it if they wish to.” Which leads to what Catherine said is one of the major issues with students choosing a different educational pathway, particularly when it comes to young women. “Unfortunately, I think our society still prizes a university pathway and qualification. But the fact is, in many cases, students struggle in traditional
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