This article by Kareena Waters from Industry OneCARD explains her solution to a problem students are experiencing when they apply for jobs.
Students often don’t understand the difference between a VET Delivered in Schools course, and their non VET school curriculum. When potential employers ask them if they have any certificates, the reply is often “No” or “I don’t know”.
Case Study
A construction/mining employer recently decided to engage a couple of school graduates for a Traineeship in Administration.
After screening resumes and interviews, they finally choose a couple of very suitable candidates, only to find that when the Australian Apprentice Support Network (AASN) signed up the candidate into a traineeship, one already had a Cert III Business Admin, and the other had completed most of the core units.
There was no record of these achievements on their resumes, or any reference to the training during the interview or understand the significance and the value of ‘That training we did at school’.
The Gap
There is a gap between what students do, and their understanding of how their work contributes to their resume.
Employer’s ability to engage a student on a traineeship is impacted by what VET in Schools certificates a student has commenced or obtained.
Many students have been issued a Unique Student Identifier (USI) but have no idea what it is, or how to access their portal.
Even though Nationally Accredited Units will be recorded on the student’s USI most employers:
want to view and save the certificates, not the USI transcript, and
want to know about any inductions, safety and other inhouse training from students work placement, and or part times jobs, which won’t appear on a USI.
The OneCARD ™ provides a platform to help employers manage the administrative nightmare of employees’ training and licence records.
Kareena Waters Founder of Industry OneCARD ™ and her team want to provide students, trainees and apprentices a complimentary Industry OneCARD™, to help keep all their certificates, induction records and achievements in one place, and to support the cultivation of good habits around the management of their valuable achievements both accredited and non-accredited.
We have built some great features into Industry OneCARD™ that help when someone is applying for positions, that ensure all records are presented to a recruiter, in a high professional standard.
The Careers Expo is great fun. There are happy, smiling people. There are glossy brochures and beautiful displays. People on the stands are friendly and helpful. Of course they are! They are professionals. You aren’t going to buy something from someone who isn’t nice.
Many visitors sign up for thousands of dollars worth of training based on a noisy 5 minute discussion in the crowded Convention Centre.
The Expos are a prime marketing place for all education and training organisation. They spend a lot of money on their displays and get their best, nicest, most professional sales people to tell you about their courses.
Tip 1:
Don’t sign ANYTHING.
STEP 2:
Know that the biggest displays, those closest to the entry doors, and the most professional looking displays have spent the most money on trying to sell to you.
Some are pure information, like the WA Police Force, Construction Training Fund, WA Department of Education – Teaching and Defence Force Recruiting. Others have courses they would like you to know about.
If you are interested in having a Gap Year check out which exhibitors will have information that will interest you. If you are interested in Trades, check out the ones that you must visit.
Make the decision about which ones to visit before you get sucked in by the bright lights and music!
STEP 4:
Figure out three questions to ask exhibitor one before you meet with them. Make sure one of your questions is about price if they are selling courses.
Don’t be surprised if they don’t want to answer you about. You may get answers like “It depends on…… ” and “We have a great loan to cover your costs”.
You could also ask….
How much will it cost?
How long the course will take.
What are the entry requirements.
For contacts with current students.
What successful students are like.
Do they have a mid year intake.
If they have links with industry that provides work placement.
How long it takes their graduates to get a job in the industry.
What sort of work graduates get.
STEP 5 – FINAL STEP
Go to see your career advisor to discuss what you have discovered.
If you don’t know a career advisor go to a Jobs and Skills Centre and talk with them. Its FREE. The Jobs and Skills Centres are based in TAFE colleges but they also have information about unis.
Go back to the places you are interested in. You will end up paying a lot for your course. This is probably the first BIG thing you have ever bought. Make sure you are buying something that is perfect for you.
Testimonial:
Thanks for the latest newsletter 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.
There are lots of doors that can lead to a university degree and if you have had one gap year (travelling, working, watching Netflix) it is even easier to go through those doors at some universities.
The alternative pathways are FREE at all universities although quotas have been introduced so numbers are restricted. The government is trying to introduce fees for these pathways and universities are protesting about that so they are largely free at the moment.
Portfolio Entry (Experienced Based Entry)
This pathway is available at a number of WA universities. Demonstrated proof of your abilities via a portfolio of evidence of your academic achievements and abilities, or demonstrated proof of your ability. Portfolio entry is not just restricted to the creative arts.
Curtin University
Step UP – You may be eligible for Step Up if you meet socio-economic or educational disadvantage criteria. If you are eligible and got an ATAR Score between 60 and 69.95 Curtin will automatically bumped up to 70 which is Curtin’s minimum ATAR requirement.
StepUp Bonus – this depends on the applicant’s eligibility, however this gives them an extra 5 bonus points if their ATAR is above 70.
Portfolio Entry – is not only for the creative courses; it is applicable to courses like Education, Science, Commerce and Health.
Uni Ready Enabling Program – this program is designed to help you gain entry into a range of Health Sciences, Humanities or Curtin Business School undergraduate courses. In terms of the age limit, applicants must be past the compulsory school age (generally that’s about 17 years old).
Enabling Course in Science, Engineering and Health – this course also has the same age limit as UniReady. Depending on their course weighted average, completion of this program will meet relatively higher entry requirements and subject prerequisites, too.
Curtin College offers courses that can result in entry to second year of Curtin’s Bachelor degree program.
Thanks for the update from: Christine Lim Future Student Advisor | Curtin University
Murdoch University
On Track – a 14 week course that prepares students for entry to a course with a minimum ATAR requirement of 70.
On Track Sprint – 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 or less.
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
ECU Access- Eligible students from identified Western Australian schools will receive an automated ATAR adjustment of up to 10 selection ranks to support the entry of students from areas with educational disadvantage:
Eligible students with an ATAR of 60 to 69.95 will receive a selection rank adjustment to 70; and
Eligible students with an ATAR of 70 and above will receive a selection rank adjustment of 5 to a maximum ATAR of 90.
If your school is listed here and you need to find out more, please talk to your school careers adviser or contact the ECU Student Recruitment team on 134 328.
Portfolio Entry— ECU offers the largest choice of course entry via portfolio. You need to provide an introductory letter, resume, academic records and references.
Edith Cowan College– Offers courses that can result in entry to second year of ECU’s Bachelor degree program
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.
Broadway – This scheme allows eligible students from a Broadway-identified Western Australian school to receive an automated ATAR adjustment for their application to UWA.
The Mature Age Access Program allows a mature-aged student with little or no previous background in tertiary study to begin studying under a provisional enrolment without having to meet the standard entry requirements. Using this program mature-aged students have the opportunity to meet academic and English prerequisites for entry while beginning their course.
Thanks Philip Sharpe, Future Students Centre, University of Western Australia
Students complete a one-week Learning for University intensive course during Orientation Week. This course is designed to facilitate your transition into university life and must be successfully completed before you progress to the remaining four courses:
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.
The STEP course is FREE.
TEP (Tertiary Enabling Program) is an enabling course designed to cater to students of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage.
Thanks to Sandra Emanuel CQU Marketing Coordinator for the update.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Entry Pathways
All Western Australian universities and TAFE colleges have Indigenous Entry Programs and specialised support to help students to succeed in their studies.
Vocational Education and Training Pathway
Start your degree at TAFE and finish at university.
TAFE frequently has smaller classes and more practical learning than universities.
TAFE courses often provide credit points towards degrees. Check your local college for specific courses details. You can arrange an appointment with a college based career advisor to find out what courses you can take and what credits they will give to university.
There are lots of doors that can lead to a university degree and if you have had one gap year (travelling, working, watching Netflix) it is even easier to go through those doors at some universities.
On Track
ECU Access-
UWAY
All Western Australian universities and TAFE colleges have Indigenous Entry Programs and specialised support to help students to succeed in their studies.
Start your degree at TAFE and finish at university.