Boys in Western Australian know that they can earn big money without a degree by taking on an apprenticeship that will lead to work in the resources industry.
Female school leavers who want to work in the resources industry tend to go to university. There ARE opportunities for girls in trades but it is hard. Sexual harassment has been an ongoing problem that has caused young females to stay away.
Girls who want to go into the resources industry can find great role models who have done VET and uni pathways HERE.
Training Pathways to the Resources Industry
By getting a job in the resources industry, West Australian school leavers can earn great money without a degree.
Here are VET jobs in:
Exploration
Commissioning and Construction
Operations and Mainenance
Exploration Occupations include:
Driller
Field Technician
Surveyor
Drone Operator
Finance Professionals
Hydrologist
Community Engagement Professionals
Laboratory Scientist
Land Access Professionals
Commissioning and Construction Occupations include
Excavator Operator
Crane Operator
Rigger
Scaffolder
Electrician
Welder
Builder and Carpenter
Contract Administrators
Construction Materials Testers
Project Manager
Operations and Maintenance Occupations include
Driller
Shot Firer
Haul Truck Operator
Mechanical Fitter
Motor Mechanic
Automotive Electrician
Procurement Professionals
Logistics Operators (warehousing, rail, and marine)
Telecommunications and Networking Operators
Maintenance Planner
For more information about jobs in the resources industry go HERE.
Go to your local Jobs and Skills Centre for information about apprenticeships, traineeships and pathways to these jobs.
Resources Industry Jobs that require a degree
Exploration, commissioning, and construction
Operations and Maintenance
Geologist
Community Engagement Professionals
Environmental Scientist
Engineering Professionals (IT, mining, petroleum, rail and civil)
Engineering Professionals (mining, petroleum, rail and civil)
Data Scientist
Project Manager
Site Restoration
Earth Scientists
Environmental Scientists
Environmental Engineers
Laboratory Scientists
Water Management Specialists
Field Officers
Planning Officers
Community Engagement Professionals
Contract and Compliance Professionals
For more information about jobs in the resources industry go HERE.
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The Olympics are coming. The Australian team is being selected. The Matilda’s are in the top 10.
So many students play sport. So many would love a career in sports.
Being as part of a team gives you a shared purpose, a feeling of belongingand goal to strive for.
If you want to work in the sport you love, there are hundreds of opportunities.
Sport Super Stars
You know who you are. You have natural talent. You have enormous capacity to endure hardship and you have trained your skills to perfection. You are going for GOLD.
Through your weekly engagements you will be noticed. You need a trusted, wise mentor and coach, who is dedicated to your success and who knows how to guide you through the politics of elite sport.
Search “Sport Scholarships”. There is no collated list of all scholarships so you will need to do your own research. The Australian Institute of Sport is a good place to start.
Leaving school is one of the biggest changes we ever face. Change is scary and exciting.
When you leave school you can go to uni or TAFE, or you can explore your world and beyond by taking a Gap Year.
This post identifies Gap Year opportunities in:
Agriculture
Defence
Volunteering overseas
Studying overseas
Working in the outback.
AgCareerStart / Agriculture Gap Year Program
If you’re 17-25, this unique gap-year program provides you with a paid job, training and development, not to mention the opportunity to build your networks within the agriculture industry.
You can indicate which farm type you’d prefer and where in Australia you would ideally like to go. Find details HERE.
Summer School Harvest Jobs with CBH
Summer jobs with CBH are a tradition in the West Australian wheatbelt. Students work hard through the heat and dust to earn good money to travel, buy a car or fund their study.
The pay is only about $30/hour but there is loads of overtime, there is training, free accommodation and a range of roles. Check details HERE.
Vacation Swimming Instructor Jobs
If you are 17 you can be a qualified swimming instructor. Check the qualifications you need HERE.
The horticulture industry relies on people to pick their fruit and veggies. In the past the pay and conditions have been shocking, but the pandemic caused the industry to change work practices.
The Harvest Trail is a more regulated employment trail for nomads.
Defence Force Gap Year
You can apply for a Defence Force Gap Year in the Airforce, Navy and Army.
There is a range of different job opportunities that you can apply for.
To be eligible to apply, you’ll need to be an Australian citizen aged between 18 and 24 on COMPLETION of military training. You’ll also need to have completed Year 12 (subject passes required vary by job) and have passed in Year 10 English and maths.
Applications for all roles are now open – and will close as positions are filled. Learn more HERE.
Army Reserves – part time defence jobs
If you want to do something different on a part time basis, you can apply to join the navy, army or air force reserves. There is a range of jobs you can do.
Resorts and roadhouses are importing workers from the Pacific Islands in order to stay open.
Look for these jobs on sites like Seekor phone/email the local tourist bureau and ask where to find a job in the area.
If you are 18 you can earn more money serving alcohol than cleaning or serving in a cafe. You will need your Responsible Service of Alcohol certificateto be able to work serving alcohol.
Work on a Station
Can’t ride a motor bike or muster cattle? Maybe you can make scones or serve coffee.
Ellenbrae Station Scones
Most stations supplement their incomes through tourism.
If you can clean you can probably find a job supporting the station tourism industry. Look for jobs on sites like Seek.
VolunteerOpportunitiesfor school leavers
Cahoots provides camps and programs for young people with disabilities. They are looking for Year 12 school leaver volunteers who are willing to support young people to engage with recreational activities.
With projects based on the edge of the world’s best safari and close to Mount Kilimanjaro, it’s no wonder that Tanzania is one of our most popular destinations.
We’ve been based in Tanzania for over 12 years, giving us time to cultivate meaningful placements. Why not explore this magical country and leave a positive impact of your own?
In Tanzania, you’ll help support Maasai communities. Consider the following options:
If you would like to study overseas, you can check out your options at hotcoursesabroad.
Crimson is a company which links Australians to university courses in the UK and US. You can get the latest information HERE.
Need Experience? Volunteer at Home
Once you leave school it is tricky getting work experience as employers aren’t insured to cover unpaid volunteers.
In Western Australia you can apply for volunteer work through Volunteering WA. People put in requests for volunteers to them and they place people and cover them through the Volunteering WA insurance.
The Volunteering WA people said that when you first start with them they are careful of the sort of work they let you do until you have proven yourself.
Youth Central provides trusted government advice on gap year opportunities
Youth Central isn’t trying to sell you anything. They don’t want anything from you. They are just trying to help.
Check out Youth Central. It’s a Victorian Government site that has clear, unbiased tips on taking a gap year.
The Career Expo is like the Royal Show. There is so much to see and do that you can miss something you love by not knowing where to look.
I have done three worksheets for schools which families might find useful to check out.
Step 1: Pre Expo Preparation
This is the most important step. Without at least some preparation the visit can become a race through and you could miss information that could change your life!!.
This stage is really just for schools and teachers. It ensures students can reflect on their Expo experience and identify what steps they are going to take based on what they learned.
Where to find different exhibitions and lecture theatres.
Where to find student accommodation
How to read the presentation and demonstration schedule.
Get an authentic experience
Plan to go with a friend
Ask your friends to go with you and your family. What they are interested in? Make sure you know what they might want to explore. Make a commitment to support each other on the open day.
Your parents. will have the biggest influencers on your career choices, but your friends are great to bounce ideas off. They will give you views of someone your age.
Check
Check the university open day web page with your parents and friends to find details about any special courses that you want to investigate or talks you want to attend.
You may need to change the time you attend to see a presentation that is of interest to your career choice.
On the Day
Find out how uni works
Each degree is made up of subjects (units) for which you get points. (Check First in Family site)
Ask how many years it will normally take as a full-time student to get enough points for a degree.
Ask about subject choices for each of the courses you are interested in.
There will be handouts.
Ask about scholarships
There are many scholarships you can apply for. Ask the careers staff to give you a full breakdown of scholarships that could match your profile.
If you are interested in staying in uni accommodation, ask what financial support is available.
Clubs
There are a million clubs that you can join at university. You have more than a year to make choices so check out a few. You can join some clubs while still at school.
Book an appointment with a career counsellor
These appointments are free and it is the job of the career counsellor to help students.
If you get this help in Year 11, you will be more settled throughout the rest of the year and through Year 12 because you will have a stronger idea about what you want to do when you leave school.
Entry Requirements
While you are checking out the courses ask about prerequisites and recommended courses that you should take before applying for particular courses. You also need to know the required ATAR score and alternative pathways to uni.
University open days are great fun. They give you a window into what your life could be like when you leave school
Take your time. Spend 3-4 hours to get the feel of the campus.
Get a Feel of the University
University open days give you an opportunity to experience the campus and the university environment. You can get a sense of the university’s atmosphere, the types of students who attend, and what it might be like to study and live there.
Gather Information
Attending an open day offers an opportunity to ask questions to academic and support staff members, and also to current students. Students can ask about the courses they’re interested in, entry requirements, career prospects, financial support, and other relevant topics.
Building Confidence
Attending open days can help you to build confidence in your decision-making process. By gathering information and asking questions, you can feel more confident in making informed decisions about your future.
Compare Universities
By attending multiple university open days, students can compare different universities and courses, and weigh up the pros and cons of each. This can help them make a more informed decision when it comes to applying for university.
Pick the Best Bits Before You Get There
As the day draws closer, each university will finalise its schedule of events, campus tour, displays and classes.
Check the Open Day Program and plan your day.
On the Day
Don’t rush. Plan to spend 3 – 4 hours at the Open Day.
Book a campus tour.
If there are overarching welcome events, make sure you go to those.
Go to course information sessions.
Go to subject taster sessions
Pick Me! Faculty Stands
Every faculty wants you to enrol in one of their courses.
Some questions you could ask:
University lecturers are the experts at the faculty stands who you need to approach with questions like:
Why do you love working in this field?
What are the career opportunities in this field?
What are the entry requirements and pathways available?
How long will it take to get the degree as a full time student?
What subjects can you choose from?
What support is available to students.
If you qualify within any support group ask about financial and other support that the university provides.
If you do not have course prerequisites or think you may not achieve the required ATAR, ask about alternative pathways.
Find Current Students at the Stands
There will be current students at most stands. Ask them what course they are doing and what they love and hate about it.
Curtin University Optometry Pathway
Ask a student ambassador if they are willing to have a coffee with you.
Ask why they are doing the course and if they are going to achieve the outcome they hoped for.
Find what extracurricular activities there are. Are there any clubs or teams that you can join now?
What can the union offer to students?
Find out what they have done about fees, financial support and scholarships.
Early Offers
You may be invited to enrol on the spot. Don’t do this.
Don’t make your career decision based on a brochure and 30-second discussion. If there is a crowd at the stand when you visit, ask for an appointment.
Don’t sign up at an Open Day.
Accommodation
If you plan to stay in university accommodation:
Tour at least one of the accommodation colleges
Ask where you can find accommodation scholarships and financial support.
Watch In Focus Careers News for information about scholarships.
Book an appointment with a career counsellor
Even if you are one of the few who knows exactly what course you want to take, book a free appointment with a career counsellor at the university. They may know of:
Despite mountains of research showing the value of career education, career advisors struggle for resources, time and recognition.
Don’t try to face these challenges alone. In 10 hours per year, you can get the support of a dynamic group of local industry representatives who will transform how career education is recognised in the school.
This will be the group you go to for advice and support. They will be the first ones you go to for guest speakers, work experience, mentoring, expos and industry tours. They will have networks to support your goals.
Example
Vet Nursing Advisory Board for South Metro TAFE
At one stage in my career at TAFE I was put in charge of Veterinary Nursing. I knew nothing about it so set up an industry advisory board with members from the Australian Veterinary Association, The Vet Surgeons Board, Vet Nurses, industry groups – from agriculture, racing and gaming and a student representative.
They delivered information, advice and support to the students and enhanced the work we did by aligning it more to industry needs. They provided industry connections for work experience, and recommended us to pet food companies that donated food for animals in our clinic.
Your Guide
Hour 1: Get the support of your principal
Put a pitch together about how an Industry Advisory Group will enhance the career education of students. The Principal may want to know details which I have put in “Hour 2”.
Hour 2: Thinking Time
Decide roughly who you want on the group:
Someone from a Jobs and Skills Centre
A member of the local Rotary Group (great for mock job interviews, work experience and mentors).
A member of the local Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Someone from retail (Coles/Woolworths/ Bunnings/McDonalds)
Someone powerful who is willing to help – in my area we have Hofmann Engineering, they are a multinational company and they so generous with their time and support.
Decide how often you will meet. Probably twice a year for an hour.
Decide what will happen to their ideas. Maybe the minutes of the meetings are sent to the school management and school board and they will guide your work. Say you will report back on progress at each meeting.
Set a date and time for the meeting at the school. Book a room.
Hour 3 and 4: Busy Work
Ring people. Invite them to be a member of the (name of school) Industry Advisory Group that aims to build the capacity of career education within the school.
Follow up with an email invitation to the first meeting.
Hour 5: Hold the Meeting
Make sure you have tea and coffee and a biscuit for them.
You are a teacher. You KNOW how to facilitate a brilliant meeting.
You might want to:
Welcome and introduce the purpose of the group.
Do some brainstorming with the group through a SWOT analysis.
I like to analyse to SWOT to get ideas for how to Use each of the Strengths, Stop the Weaknesses, Exploit the Opportunities and Deny the Threats. That gives me a “to do list”.
Tell them you will write up the notes from the brainstorming and send them out to them.
Set a time for the next meeting.
Build relationships. Have a cup of tea/coffee and a talk.
Hour 6 – 7: Write up the notes and distribute
After the meeting write up what happened in a report send it to everyone.
Talk about it at staff meetings. Put it into your school newsletter. Let the District Office know. Let me know and I now and I will put it in the next In Focus Careers newsletter.
You will be able to call on your Group members to support any of the initiatives you want to launch at school.
Hour 8: After 6 months write a Progress Report
After 6 months write up a basic Progress Report for your next meeting and email it to everyone in the group.
Include the time and place for next meeting.
Hour 9: Prepare for Next Meeting
Book a room. Get tea and coffee. Prepare the agenda. Would your principal want to come?
Hour 10 Hold Next Meeting.
Report on and discuss progress and note further suggestions.
Repeat 3- 10 above for next year.
You are on your way
Your Industry Advisory Group will be your greatest asset. They provide work experience, mentors, guest speakers, expo displays and industry advice AND they can be a powerful voice that trailblazes the way for career education in your school.
It really is worth setting aside 10 hours per year to put in place infrastructure that will make your life easier.
A Skills Passport is an online record of all your qualifications and skills.
The government is about to initiate consultations with employer groups, unions and educators aimed at identifying the advantages of creating a National Skills Passport. This initiative would consolidate all your qualifications and skills into a single, user-friendly database.
You need one because..
It might significantly ease your transition from one employer to another.
Many people may not realize that completing certain courses, such as a White Card or a barista course during school, actually grants them formal qualifications.
It’s possible to inadvertently overlook a job opportunity if you forget about a customer service qualification earned during your initial employment at McDonald’s or Bunnings.
As you progress through life, continuous learning is inevitable. Without a comprehensive database to store your course history, it’s easy to forget what courses you completed a decade ago.
What does it do?
It consolidates all your qualifications into a single database.
It will be integrated with standardized criteria, ensuring that certifications from”Dodgy Brothers Training” are not seen as the same as those from TAFE colleges or universities.
The system will adhere to interoperability standards, guaranteeing that all qualifications are recorded using a uniform format, which will allow seamless sharing and compatibility.
Why I won’t use it…
I used to work with IT security specialists and I am cautious about sharing personal information.
Identify theft is easier when everything is in one place.
I don’t trust that the information would not be used for different purposes.
I can keep my own records of my qualifications.
If they let me know what standards and format they want in a database, I will create my own sharable database that I will manage.
Make up your own mind
If you are a teacher or career advisor, you may want to use it to make sure school leavers have a record of all qualifications they have achieved. In that case a Skills Passport may be a convenient solution.
There will probably be an opt out clause that will allow users to stop using the service.
I think a Skills Passport could be a cool solution to people not taking responsibility for keeping their own records.
Have you asked a new graduate to wash their coffee cup?
Have you asked them to leave their classroom neat and ready for the next teacher?
According to some experienced teachers, asking this could risk complaints about bullying.
Work Readiness courses
There are currently 6% of Gen Zers in the paid employment and that per centage is growing, while baby boomers remain at around 20%. The generation gap between 20 year olds and 60 year olds is causing both young and old workers to resign.
Ten years ago “work preparation” courses taught uni graduates that they were not the bosses and to do the work as they were asked, without being “creative”.
Perhaps that would help, but it is not enough.
What can older workers do?
Older workers often think we know it all.
We don’t.
Dave Turner, career guru, from South Australia, says saying “hello” and asking about their weekend will make young workers feel more accepted.
He encourages employers to engage more with their local schools to:
gain a realistic idea of school students
prepare students for the workplace
Zoomers, our youngest employees
Danielle Kabilio, is building a reputation as an expert in this field.
She recently spoke on the topic to a Food Fibre and Timber Industry Training Council seminar for employees who are struggling to retain younger workers.
She is speaking on the topic at the CDAA Good Theory, Good Practice conference on 23 September. Teachers , private practitioners and HR experts are all interested in how to address the issue.
The stereotype is not the norm
The stereotype of the young kid playing on a mobile phone with poor communication skills is simply not the norm.
Kids may not be joining Lions of scouts any more but they are volunteering on environmental projects and coaching junior sports teams. There has never been more participation in competitions like It Takes a Spark and the Gamechanger Awards.
Stereotypes are not the whole answer. There are many steps that we need to take.
I’ll follow up
I will let you know what tips Danielle has to offer at the Good Theory Good Practice conference and I will put any research that I find into my In Focus Careers Newsletter.
In the meantime, say “Hi” to your colleagues and put your mobile phone away.
To keep up to speed with career opportunities in WA. Subscribe to In Focus Careers News.
The SkillsWest Expo was great. There was more to see and many exhibitions had activities to play with.
The big give away this year was bucket hats. Fourteen year old boys were seen with a dozen hats teetering on their heads.
Strangest Stand – Queensland Police
Maybe they don’t get West Australian news in Queensland. WA Police are seriously working to recruit new police officers, and here were the Queensland police recruiting at OUR Expo.
For information about jobs in the WA police service go HERE.
Metal Fabrication Goes High Tech
I thought metal fabrication was a hammer and a sheet of metal, not computer driven.
McDonalds were there again promoting their traineeships and jobs for young workers. McDonalds gives great training to young staff so they are worth considering when going for part time jobs.
Jobs and Skills Career Services
North and South Metro Jobs and Skills Centres were there with a prime spot just inside the entrance. They were introducing the career advisory services to students and helping those who had time to ask for advice.
Specialist Employment Services
There were several providers of career advice and job finding services to school leavers, like impact services.
Great Work
There was almost too much to see at the Expo. With such a significant event, visitors might need to do more preparation so that they don’t miss information that meets their needs.
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In Focus Careers News for West Australian schools provides educators and familieis with news about emerging career opportunities in Western australia.
The guide contains detailed information on:
