Career Development

“Career development is about managing life, learning and developing a good work ethos across the lifespan.” What would you have answered if asked, “What is a career?” Probably much the same as everyone else. Something we get into after school and hopefully stay with until we retire! Well, the winds of change are blowing with gale force through the school corridors. We are told it is not enough just to assist a student “to find a career” We need to gather all the school and parent resources to create a new approach. The Commonwealth Government is moving rapidly to upgrade the professional status of all Career Counsellors, whether they function in schools or in the general community and schools are being required to develop a different understanding of how to assist students. Trinity College created a Career Development Council this year. Its mandate now covers four major components: general career education for all students; vocational education and training (VET); structured workplace learning; and enterprise education. More emphasis is being placed on bringing career development materials to the general classroom. There has been a gradual increase in the number of students participating in the Structured Workplace Learning (INSTEP) option for senior students (sixty students this year) and more than forty students have enrolled in the Certificates in Business, Information Technology and Sport and Recreation. Our partnerships with other organisations now allow us to offer school-based traineeships with Hospitality Group Training, South Metropolitan Youth Link, EDGE, and Housing Industry Apprentices WA. Our relationship with Mercedes College continues to offer some students a fine preparation in the Hospitality industry. A special mention must be made of the Housing Industry Apprentices initiative in WA. As one of the

Kevin Johns members of the Onsite Cluster, Trinity was invited toCareer Development Coordinator. offer students for an entirely new programme designed to increase the number of skilled workers in the building industry. Twenty six students showed interest and after a demanding selection process, nine elite students will now be trained during Year 11 and 12 in preparation for apprenticeships after school. These students will be looked upon as future leaders in the industry. Congratulations to Mark Ciancotti, Liam Dee, Jake Fawcett, David Graham, James Griffiths, Damien Lee, Adam Morris, Brendan Murray and Nicholas Oehlers. Finally, almost one hundred parents attended the Parents as Career Partners Seminars organised by the school. There will be more in 2006. Thanks to Mr Doug Simpson (VET Coordinator); Mrs Marie Zwart (Senior Enterprise); and Mr Tony Webb (Senior Enterprise). Thanks also to Mr David Love, (parent representative on the Career Development Council) and Mr Shaun Kenny (executive representative) And to all the students for a great year.

Kevin Johns

Career Development Coordinator.

DREAM FACTORY STUDENTS

Standing: Mark Ciancotti, David Graham, Brendan Murray, Jake Fawcett, James Griffiths, Damien Lee, Adam Morris Kneeling: Nicholas Oehlers, Liam Dee

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