At Heathmont College we have in place careers and transition programs that provide our students with careers advice to support them with making informed and effective course and career decisions.

Our aim is to provide a broad range of pathways that complement individual student abilities and interests. Having established important links with tertiary institutions and industries for the delivery of an extensive number of Vocational Education and Training (VET) and Traineeships programs, our students can choose a VCE program with workplace learning as a key component.

The Careers and Pathways Office provides students with a range of material about courses and careers. In addition, our students are supported with career advice, Managed Individual Pathways (MIPS), subject selection advice and are given the opportunity to participate in Work Experience in Year 10.

Pathways Coordinator – Melissa McMurray

 

Work Experience

Students research their own Work Experience contacts to show they are committed to the task and want to perform this activity.

As part of the Work Experience Program, students are required to show some understanding of Occupational Health and Safety issues. Safe@work is a web-based Occupational Health and Safety Program developed by the Department of Education that all Work Experience students have to complete before placement. This program will assist students in their preparation for Work Experience and increase their awareness of Occupational Health and Safety in the workplace.

The Safe@work tests must be supervised. These are undertaken as part of the HeadStart program for Year 9’s going into Year 10. As well, students are assisted to write resumes and organise placements.

Students must complete a preliminary form with Work Experience details. The official form is then generated using this information. The official Work Experience form needs to be signed by the student, parent or guardian, the employer and finally returned to Heathmont College for the Principal to sign.

For more information about Safe@work please click on the link below.

 

Safe@work

Resources are available to enhance the curriculum offerings in any of the areas of study with emphasis on career investigation, work education and study options. These resources include DVD, folders, pamphlets and handbooks. Every effort is made to keep this information up to date.

In addition, students participate in the Career Voyage vocational testing program to assist them to identify their interests and investigate career pathways linked to student interest.  All students have their own log in to this site and are encouraged to use this for pathways planning.

 

School Leaving Age

From January 1st, 2010, the Government brought in new requirements for the school leaving age. Before a student is allowed to leave school, they must satisfactorily complete Year 10 and until the age of 17, they must be in some form of full-time training or employment.

Training options can include:

  • VCE
  • VCAL
  • Full Time TAFE
  • Apprenticeship

Any students wishing to leave school before these requirements are met must put in a request for exemption to the Regional Director in consultation with Heathmont College. All students leaving school before the end of Year 12 are required to fill in an exit form and complete a Careers or MIPs appointment.

Leaving school or not attending school can result in non-payment of Centrelink benefits.

If you would like some advice on career pathways or training options, please book an appointment with the Careers Office on 9871-4888.

 

Vocational Major (VM)

We also offer students the opportunity to choose a Vocational Major (VM) program where they may attend TAFE one day a week, Heathmont College for two days and work in industry the remaining two days.  At the Intermediate and Senior levels our VCAL program operates as an Australian School Based Apprenticeship (ASBA) program.  While positions in industry are only for the duration of the ASBA, they often lead to full-time positions with the company.  Many of our VCE students are also completing ASBAs as a component of their part time work outside the school environment, these can be credited to their VCE results.

In addition to university study, apprenticeships and traineeships are seen as viable and achievable post school options, giving our students a wider range of possibilities on leaving our college.

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