West Australian career teachers are the BEST INFORMED careers teachers in the world.
I haven’t fact checked this but…..
…where else would you find nearly 1000 educators, employment service providers, unis, RTOs, and a bunch of industry people who are so parochial, and so concerned for career education that they freely share information for the common good?
The contributions of West Australians, and a few other minor players like the Commonwealth government, has resulted in the August issue having 50+ pages of stories on:
strategies all local unis are putting in place to support Year 12s
Thanks to everyone who helps us to keep up to date in this bugger of a year.
(I did a Fact Check and found we are not only the best informed career teachers in the world, we are also the best looking, most intelligent, most professional and most generous!!)
Their kids are in year 12. They haven’t decided what to do next year.
Parents don’t want their kids to leave school and fall into a hole. The kids don’t want to talk about it.
Parents can suggest these steps as a path forward
STEP 1: Explore
Check out some aptitude tests to see what tends to come up. Find a range of different tests HERE.
Get a piece of paper or a notebook.
Pick 4 different tests to do.
After each one write down three most important things the test indicated. For example….
I want to work outdoors
I am creative
I am a natural leader
When you have done a few tests you should start to see some common themes. These will help you as you explore your career options.
Some of the tests, like Job Outlook suggest career matches to match your aptitudes.
Step 2: The Shoulders of Giants
Sometimes it’s hard to see what’s around you
I once counselled a student whose mum and dad, brother and uncle were mechanics yet she hadn’t thought of being a mechanic. She ended up doing a Defence Force Gap Year where she started a mechanic apprenticeship.
It is easiest to build from what you know, yet we are often not aware of what we know.
If you are an Eskimo you might think building igloos is for you. If everyone in your family plays an instrument, being a musician could be for you.
What careers you know from your life experience? Check out your family, your family friends, school friends’ parents, sport coaches.
What work do they do?
It is easier when you build from what you know.
Step 3: What is Important?
Whether it’s diamonds, world peace or having fun, your values will remain fairly stable and they will ground you throughout your life.
This game helps you to clarify your values.
1. In a list, write the names of 8 people you like.
They can be family or friends, famous people or fictional people like superman.
Don’t go on until you have your list.
2. Now next to each name write three or four things you like about that person.
3.Group similar values with different colour highlighters. You might group together smart,wise, clever, leader. (CLEVER)
Try to group all of the values into three or four groups. Give each group one name.
Now you have key values that are important to you.
These values guide who you are, how you act and what you do.
They anchor your decisions.
When you are in doubt, make decisions that are consistent with your values.
Summary
Well, that’s not a bad start. From the work you have done you now know:
1. What natural abilities you have.
2. What natural careers environment you live in.
3. What values drive your decisions.
Awareness of your natural abilities, your natural careers environment and your values can drive your decisions.
ONLINE CAREER GUIDANCE
Bev Johnson
If you are a worried parent who would like career advice for your student contact me at Bev.J@infocus-careers.com.au or phone 0434056412.
In Focus Careers Newsletter
If you are associated with a high school in Western Australia it probably subscribes to my In Focus Careers Newsletter. Career information you receive about new courses, career events and scholarships are delivered to the school each month through the newsletter.
Contact me for a complimentary copy of the newsletter:
Apprenticeships are the main things we know that TAFE delivers.
If you want to be a mechanic or electrician, you get an apprenticeship and go to TAFE.
But what about computer technicians, house designers, tourism operators, agriculture and aged care workers?
There are hundreds of jobs you can get with a TAFE qualification.
Do I need a qualification AT ALL after leaving school??
Yes….. The bottom line is that you NEED a post school qualification if you are not to take a pathway to poverty.
Employers pay for knowledge and skills, but:
people who have a Certificate III or IV have about the same unemployment rate as people who have a degree.
people who have a TAFE qualification earn about the same as people who get degrees.
(Statistics from Ivan Neville, Labour Market Research and Analysis, Dept of Labour)
Spot the Difference
Guess which Fashion Course is run at Curtin and which one is run at TAFE?
You’ll focus on the relationship between garment and body, using a theoretical and contextual framework for understanding the cultural significance and practice of fashion design and global trends.
You’ll learn the principles of design and creative studio practice; and develop skills in fabric manipulation and construction, design, pattern-making, styling and fashion illustration.
Study the enterprise skills to work in fashion business. Computer Aided Design (CAD) patternmaking, grading and illustration facilities, world class fashion design and textile forecasting resources, over 80 specialised industrial sewing machines, and a staff of fashion industry specialists, are key to our successes with our industry relevant courses, graduate employment outcomes and recognition in the sector.
It is easy to see that the one that mentions theory is a uni course while the one that focuses on CAD and pattern making has a more practical focus.
Length of Course
TAFE
An qualified electrician (Certificate III) takes about 4 years to get their license.
A barista takes about a week to get a piece of paper saying they have a set of skills (skills set) rather than a full qualification as a chef. A course on using farm chemicals safely may take a day and you don’t need to be a qualified farmer to do the course.
The focus of the courses is always on providing the skills that industry needs for a particular purpose.
Lots of TAFE courses give you credits at university. A Diploma of Work Health and Safety takes a year to complete and you will get between 6 months and a year’s credit for the Diploma if you do a degree.
Uni
A Bachelor of Science (Health, Safety and Environment) takes three years.
Cost per Course
TAFE
The maximum fee for the one year Diploma of Work Health and Safety is $2,848.50 which included tuition and resources that you may have to purchase.
TAFE Subsidies
If you do a course where there is a West Australian skills shortage, like cyber security, aged care or agriculture , your fees will be heavily subsidised by the State government.
Uni
The tuition fee for the three year Bachelor of Science degree is $8,460 (Roughly $1000/unit)
There are many scholarships available for university students.
TAFE is More Like School
When you go to TAFE you will probably go into a class of less than 25 students, a lot like a schoolroom or workshop designed to replicate what you will find in the workplace. Some TAFE courses are done entirely in the workplace. Some courses also have a significant theory component – Occupational health and safety, for example, has a lot of chemistry in the course. Veterinary nursing includes anatomy and physiology.
Uni has more Theory
Lectures are a routine teaching methodology at university. You may be in a group of 400 students in a lecture theatre as you are given information by an expert in their field. You are required to do reading on the subject BEFORE you go into the lecture. The subject of your lecture will be followed up by a tutorial or practical workshop on the subject where you can ask questions and gain more in depth knowledge.
If you would like to unearth your path to meaningful education or employment through online counselling to email me: Bev.J@infocus-careers.com.au
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The In Focus Careers newsletter is the only one designed to keep teachers, students and their families up to speed with West Australian career opportunities.
West Australian teachers save hours of work by subscribing and are confident that they have the information they need to provide professional career advice to their students.
Universities are working overtime to make enrollments fair for 2021.
UWA is the first to come forward with its new pathway. The change is the Predicted ATAR Entry.
UWA Early Offers
We are pleased to announce that we will now be offering three different ways for current Year 12 school leavers in Australia to apply for admission to our main undergraduate degrees – the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Biomedical Science, Bachelor of Commerce, and Bachelor of Science for 2021 entry. We have made this change so that during this challenging time students are provided with more certainty, support and options should they wish to pursue a UWA degree.
ATAR-based entry
Although it is too early to know if there will be any changes to Year 12 exams, we will still offer our standard entry pathway.
Predicted ATAR entry
UWA will provide an offer based on a student’s predicted ATAR from the end of Year 11. We may require a diagnostic interview to identify any additional support that may be required, including bridging units, once they arrive at UWA. At this stage Year 12 students must still sit their Year 12 exams and, when results are released, if their ATAR is higher than their predicted ATAR, they can update their application if they’d like to change their course.
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
In recognition of the unique set of challenges Year 12 students are facing this year, 18 and 19-year-old students who are taking insufficient ATAR-based subjects or are not taking ATAR, will be eligible to sit the STAT test and a diagnostic interview as above.
The Predicted ATAR entry pathway is not applicable for Direct Pathways to Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy and Podiatry. The STAT test pathway is not available for any Direct Pathways or the Bachelor of Philosophy. The application process for these courses will be communicated shortly.
Notre Dame’s Early Offer Program is open to Year 12 students who have demonstrated academic excellence and/or are making a significant contribution to their school or community.
For 2021, assessment will be made based on Year 10 and Year 11 results, and any available Year 12 reports, as well as a recommendation from the school. Please note there will be no admissions interviews in 2020. Find out more about this year’s entry requirements on HERE.
Applications are due by 30 June 2020.
I am updating information from all West Australian universities as it comes through.
School leavers must be able to demonstrate that they have achieved their WACE and meet ECU’s English Competency Requirements.
School leavers who wait until semester 2 to apply will be classified as Non School Leavers and will need to demonstrate how they meet ECU’s English Competency Requirements.
Edith Cowan College offers courses that can result in entry to second year of ECU’s Bachelor Degree program
Curtin University
The Curtin UniReadyprogram is now the most open offering in WA. Year 12s apply through TISC and they don’t need ATAR, or English or WACE to apply.
Curtin College offers courses that can result in entry to second year of Curtin’s Bachelor Degree program.
Portfolio Entry is not only for the creative courses; it is applicable to courses like Education, Science, Commerce and Health.
University of Western Australia
UWAY – This is an alternative entry pathway and comprehensive support program for students completing Year 12 under challenging circumstances.
The program provides academic, financial and personal support, and it is responsive to individual student needs, throughout their final year of secondary school and during their university studies. You can apply for alternative entry to an undergraduate degree course through UWay if your academic achievements have been adversely affected by certain disadvantages.
Murdoch University
On Track is a 14 week course that prepares students for entry to a course with a minimum ATAR requirement of 70.
FlexiTrack– can be done over 1 semester, accelerated 10 weeks, or 2 semesters at part time and this is entirely online.
On Track Sprint is a 4 week course run over the Christmas holidays that may prepare you for entry to a course with a minimum ATAR requirement of 70.
TLC10 – prepares students to apply for Murdoch through a 1 day per week course that runs all year in Mandurah and Rockingham.
Portfolio Entry – you can gain entry to courses that rely on creative talent in media, games art and design and creative writing, photography and web communication via a portfolio demonstrating your work + a number of hoops like WACE and English competence. For Portfolio entry try the Domestic Admissions Team on 9360 7458 or send an email by following this link
KTrack – is offered through our Kulbardi Aboriginal Centre and is open to students who identify with the ATSI community.
This program is tailored to help you meet entry requirements or boost your confidence.
It usually takes between 1 and 2 terms to complete (4 to 8 months). It can be completed online or on-campus.
CQU Principal’s Recommendation Scheme
The Principal’s Recommendation Scheme provides an alternate entry pathway to CQUniversity courses* that is based on the recommendation of High school Principals and not reliant on whether a student has received an ATAR.
At CQUniversity we believe senior schooling results are important, but we also believe that other factors such as motivation, talent, and passion can lead to student success at university. The scheme is designed to assist capable students to access entry to CQUniversity, it in no way provides relaxation of the quality and academic standards that students must meet to successfully complete their degree.
To apply for a CQUniversity course via the Principal’s Recommendation Scheme, a student must:
Be studying Year 12 in an Australian school in 2020.
Have their Principal’s recommendation in writing.
For more information on how to apply and what must be included in the recommendation please visit the Principal’s Recommendations Scheme webpage.
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Hundreds of careers experts contribute information that empowers high school teachers to become experts who can help students to discover their best future.
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Universities need students. The ATAR gives them a convenient way of selecting 26% of their students. The other 74% of university students enrol through different pathways.
If you don’t get your ATAR in 2020 you can still get into university
Universities WANT you to enrol with them so keep checking their websites for updated information.
Higher Education – University preparation courses
They are generally free
You find out about a range of different courses that may interest you
They are generally a semester long
You learn about university life without having the pressure of a full degree program
Although each course is different there are usually 4 subject like….
Academic Writing
Communication Skills
Essential Maths
Research Skills and Information Literacy
Consider this….
If you don’t want to live on Poverty Street you must do some study when you leave school.
If you are thinking about TAFE, go to a Jobs and Skills Centre .If you are thinking about uni check out university careers services or email me to explore your options.
University Alternative Entry
Notre Dame
The Tertiary Pathway Program at Notre Dame is for people who did NOT do ATAR, or who didn’t get the required cut off score.
It is a 13-week program which you apply for directly to Notre Dame.
Applicants need to be able to demonstrate good English language skills to be offered a place.
School leavers must be able to demonstrate that they have achieved their WACE and meet ECU’s English Competency Requirements.
School leavers who wait until semester 2 to apply will be classified as Non School Leavers and will need to demonstrate how they meet ECU’s English Competency Requirements.
Edith Cowan College offers courses that can result in entry to second year of ECU’s Bachelor Degree program
Curtin University
The Curtin UniReady program is now the most open offering in WA. Year 12s apply through TISC and they don’t need ATAR, or English or WACE to apply.
Curtin College offers courses that can result in entry to second year of Curtin’s Bachelor Degree program.
Portfolio Entry is not only for the creative courses; it is applicable to courses like Education, Science, Commerce and Health.
Murdoch University
On Track is a 14 week course that prepares students for entry to a course with a minimum ATAR requirement of 70.
On Track Sprint is a 4 week course run over the Christmas holidays that may prepare you for entry to a course with a minimum ATAR requirement of 70.
TLC10 – prepares students to apply for Murdoch through a 1 day per week course that runs all year in Mandurah and Rockingham.
Portfolio Entry – you can gain entry to courses that rely on creative talent in media, games art and design and creative writing, photography and web communication via a portfolio demonstrating your work + a number of hoops like WACE and English competence. For Portfolio entry try the Domestic Admissions Team on 9360 7458 or send an email by following this link
UWAY – This is an alternative entry pathway and comprehensive support program for students completing Year 12 under challenging circumstances.
The program provides academic, financial and personal support, and it is responsive to individual student needs, throughout their final year of secondary school and during their university studies. You can apply for alternative entry to an undergraduate degree course through UWay if your academic achievements have been adversely affected by certain disadvantages.
Thanks Philip Sharpe, Future Students Centre, University of Western Australia
This program is tailored to help you meet entry requirements or boost your confidence.
It usually takes between 1 and 2 terms to complete (4 to 8 months). It can be completed online or on-campus.
CQU Principal’s Recommendation Scheme
The Principal’s Recommendation Scheme provides an alternate entry pathway to CQUniversity courses* that is based on the recommendation of High school Principals and not reliant on whether a student has received an ATAR.
At CQUniversity we believe senior schooling results are important, but we also believe that other factors such as motivation, talent, and passion can lead to student success at university. The scheme is designed to assist capable students to access entry to CQUniversity, it in no way provides relaxation of the quality and academic standards that students must meet to successfully complete their degree.
To apply for a CQUniversity course via the Principal’s Recommendation Scheme, a student must:
Be studying Year 12 in an Australian school in 2020.
Have their Principal’s recommendation in writing.
For more information on how to apply and what must be included in the recommendation please visit the Principal’s Recommendations Scheme webpage.
Keep up to date with Western Australian career opportunities
The In Focus Careers newsletter brings together information from a network of West Australian career experts. You can tap into this expertise or just check out one issue of the insanely great In Focus Careers newsletter:
The First In Focus Careers Newsletter for WA High Schools in 2020 will be out on 29th January.
See:
Emerging Australian industries and where the jobs are coming from.
Scholarship information
Pre apprenticeship opportunities for February
A comparison of West Australian university rankings
Unusual ATAR cut off scores for 2020
A special careers feature for geography teachers.
There are 45 pages of information to help high school teachers to provide insanely great careers information to their students.
Magic Happens Careers Handbook
If your school subscribes and you haven’t received your copy of the Magic Happens Careers Handbook and Teachers’ Guide yet, email me at bev.j@infocus-careers.com.au and I will send it out.
Join the In Focus Careers Network
In Focus Careers Network supports members as we create a rich resource of careers information and advice for West Australian school students.
Subscribe to the In Focus Careers Network to:
Get the latest news careers news for students, families and teachers.
Get teaching resources designed for West Australians.
Become careers experts with links to the latest research, new teaching resources and PD opportunities, and
Plan the school career calendar using the Monthly Calendar of Events.
The open days are brilliant. They are run from 21 July to 25 August and all unis bring out their finest toys and best stories in their efforts to get you to buy into their courses.
The School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCASA) is THE mob that makes up the rules about WACE. The first place to find information about Year 11 and 12 is in the official Year 10 Information Handbook which SCASA puts out.
If you can’t find the information you need or if you are unclear on anything contact them at info@scsa.wa.edu.au.
STEP 2 Hear Your Dream
You need to have some idea about what career direction you would like to take.
Many schools have the Career Voyage program that will help you to nail down a career direction for the near future. If you don’t have access to Career Voyage at school you can do the quiz at a Jobs and Skills Centre.
I have done this Coggle brain storm of a bunch of places you can check out to narrow down what you like.
Email me Bev.J@infocus-careers.com.au if you would like access to the Coggle map so that you can just click on the links.
STEP 3 Do You Want to do ATAR??
For years ATAR results were the short cut that universities used to choose their students. Things are changing. Competition between universities has heated up and they are looking at many alternative pathways that:
enable more students to go to university
ensure students don’t fail when they get there.
Universities are looking for alternative pathways more than schools and parents.
TAFE has always been flexible with its pathways to learning than universities and there is a huge range of possible pathways offered.
Job Prospects for Young Job Seekers
Last year the Career Development Association put on a webinar delivered by Ivan Neville, from the Commonwealth Department of Employment. He said….you really need to get a year 12 qualification, or equivalent, to get a job…..
But there isn’t much difference in employment outcomes between a degree (3.6%) and a Cert III (4.1%).
The opening of university entry to a wider audience had resulted in a shift towards degrees and away from vocational education since 2008.
There are now stronger job outcomes for apprentices and trainees than people with degrees.
Step 4 Check Course PRE-REQUISITES
There are lots of courses that have RECOMMENDED subjects, but not so many have definite PRE-REQUISITES that MUST be done as a WACE subject in order to get into a course.
There are lots of pathways into further study and your WACE pathway is just one of them.
The most direct pathway is however, to take subjects that the universities are looking for. So, once you have narrowed down a career direction to take, check out the TISC University Admissions Handbook. It identifies what WACE subjects you should take to keep your options open.
OLNA
The Online Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (OLNA) is the minimum WACE requirement reading, writing and numeracy. It is usually done in 10 but there are more opportunities to sit the Assessment in Year 11 and 12 and even AFTER Year 12.
Prospective TAFE students who do not meet these standards can:
sit a TAFE Admissions literacy and/or numeracy test administered by Training Sector Services;
be referred to a TAFE college for a Learning Area Assessment; or
enrol in a course that does not have literacy or numeracy requirements, including foundation skills, equity courses and Certificate I
Step 5 Contact Your Career Advisor
Tap into the knowledge and experience of your career advisor.
If you don’t have access to a specialist career advisor at your school, go to a TAFE college Jobs and Skills Centre or private careers consultant to be sure your next step is the right one.
For your monthly does of inspiration and insanely great career information subscribe to my newsletter:
Testimonial
I have found your material invaluable. The information you have put together is thorough – a one-stop-shop in a sea of information that is out there. I have utilised this information on a regular basis with others throughout the school.
(South Metropolitan Government High School.)
My Commitment to West Australian Careers Education
For In Focus Careers to be the conduit to Insanely Great Careers Information for West Australian students I undertake to:
Write 10 insanely great issues of In Focus Careers newsletter each year that focus on the needs of West Australian students and careers teachers.
Search for local, national and international information that could impact on the careers of West Australian students.
Connect you with insanely great careers teachers across the In Focus Careers network.
Listen to and support West Australian careers teachers.
There is so much to discover and experience at university open days that students need to start going to them in Year 10. Those students who are most familiar with their university have the best chance of success.
The smart trend is to do your research on social media then go to the coolest exhibitions for the experience and for your selfie.
The Year 10 Open Day Worksheet is short and simple. It will help you to get the most out of your day and help you to find careers to investigate over the next year.
If you went to some open days last year you will know what to expect and can plan your visit to get more out of it.
It is best to go with a family member as they care for you and may find out stuff that you miss.
The Year 11 Open Day Worksheet gives some shortcuts to planning your day so that you have the best time possible as you narrow down your choices for post school university courses.
The journey from school is a long one. Finding the right path to take is a good start.
Discovering your right career won’t come to you in a blinding flash of light. It will come in a whisper. You need to take time to listen.
The Year 12 Open Day Worksheet will guide those who are thinking of going to uni and who have an idea of what they want to do.
If you still have no idea what to do when you leave school PLEASE seek advice from a school or Jobs and Skills Centre career advisor or BOTH!! They will help you to clarify what you want to do.
For your monthly does of inspiration and insanely great career information subscribe to my newsletter:
Testimonial
I have found your material invaluable. The information you have put together is thorough – a one-stop-shop in a sea of information that is out there. I have utilised this information on a regular basis with others throughout the school.
(South Metropolitan Government High School.)
My Commitment to West Australian Careers Education
For In Focus Careers to be the conduit to Insanely Great Careers Information for West Australian students I undertake to:
Write 10 insanely great issues of In Focus Careers newsletter each year that focus on the needs of West Australian students and careers teachers.
Search for local, national and international information that could impact on the careers of West Australian students.
Connect you with insanely great careers teachers across the In Focus Careers network.
Listen to and support West Australian careers teachers.
If you have a disability and want to go to uni contact them early. Just by having a disability you can get university support staff to swing in to help you, while you are still at school.
These experts have done it all before. They know what is possible.
If you wish to register or just to find out more information about your options, telephone the Equity, Diversity and Disability Service on 9370 6960 or email studentequity@ecu.edu.au
Don’t wait for there to be a problem; we want you to know that professional help is available when you need it. Making contact early with Disability staff will assist you to get the best from your Murdoch enrolment.
Students with a disability or medical condition whether permanent or temporary should make contact with the Student Support Centre as early as possible. Various support services may take time to organise whilst others can be put in place quickly.
Discover your world of possibilities
Get a complimentary copy of the insanely great In Focus Careers Newsletter here:
Testimonial
Thanks for the latest e-mail Bev, and for all the information and inspiring ideas over the year. Since I have become a part of the (In Focus Careers) network I have grown in knowledge and motivation to really make a difference for our young people.
(South West Regional Government High School.)
My Commitment to West Australian Careers Education
For In Focus Careers to be the conduit to Insanely Great Careers Information for West Australian students I:
Write 10 insanely great issues of In Focus Careers newsletter each year that focus on the needs of West Australian students and careers teachers.
Search for local, national and international information that could impact on the careers of West Australian students.
Connect you with insanely great careers teachers across the In Focus Careers network.
Listen to and support West Australian careers teachers
Cost per Course
UWA Early Offers
The 
UniPrep & UniPrep (Education Assistant Program
Check out UWA courses 
Many schools have the Career Voyage program that will help you to nail down a career direction for the near future. If you don’t have access to Career Voyage at school you can do the quiz at a 
Notre Dame
