In this issue

Congratulations to our Year 12s who have now finished all classes and celebrated in style!  We wait with excitement to see what each student chooses to do next on their new journey!

In this newsletter are a number of wonderful experiences all students can explore to help them try to decide on which pathway is best for them when they also complete school.

Year 12s are reminded that a number of local traineeships are now on offer for 2020 – perfect for a GAP year prospect.  Keep checking local newspapers for these opportunities.  Also some local scholarships will become available for application in early December from Community Bank and Bendigo Bank which are specific to each area and community in the region – so have these on your radar!

Finally, we wish the Year 12s all the best for their exams or in whatever new endeavours they will soon be undertaking.

Mrs Deb Cumming
Head of Careers

POSITIONS AVAILABLE

Bricklaying Apprenticeship – local
A local company based in Neerim South is seeking an enthusiastic school leaver looking to learn the trade.  Most of the work is local and they can assist with transport.  If you are interested, please forward a resume to ajtripodi@bigpond.com or more information is available by calling John Tripodi on 0412 997 862.

St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School
St Paul’s will be offering the following for 2020:
•  Sports Traineeship x two
•  Administration Traineeship x two
Year 12 students should send an expression of interest to Mrs Cumming and include contact details.  Resume not required at this stage.  Students who have submitted an expression of interest will be contacted after exams in November for interviews.

A number of businesses will be offering one-year traineeships for 2019 Year 12 students to commence in 2020 including:
Trafalgar Primary School – now open
Gippsland Physiotherapy – now open and recruiting

Students are encouraged to keep an eye on local newspapers for opportunities!

Updates from Victoria University (VU)

VU Guaranteed:  Year 11 students from eligible schools are encouraged to apply for the VU Year 11 Guaranteed program and secure an early entry university place to start in 2021.  Applications close 13 December, https://bit.ly/2pmjzJc

Speech pathology:  VU has just launched a new block model dual-qualification in speech pathology – Bachelor of Speech and Language Science/Master of Speech Pathology.  They have written an interesting article titled “Now is a great time to be a speech pathologist, here’s why”,  https://bit.ly/32jcgAu

New Property Valuation Degree!

TAFE NSW will be running their popular and highly successful Bachelor of Property Valuation at the Albury Campus starting in Semester 1 2020.
•  Selection criteria: Completion of  VCE, five hundred word essay and interview (no ATAR requirement).
•  Accredited with the Australian Property Institute.
•  Taught in block mode (one week per month intensive mode).
•  Heavy focus on industry experience and experiential learning during the three year degree, including field trips.
•  Seventy-five per cent of students at the Sydney Campus are employed by second year in valuation firms.
•  Only specialist property valuation degree in Australia.
•  One of the most highly specialised property valuation degrees in the world.
•  Full support of the Australian Property Institute, Albury-Wodonga.  Students will be encouraged to join the group and will have many opportunities to network.

Graduates could work as a valuer in areas such as residential, commercial, industrial, rural, tourism, aged care, development, leasing, native title and water rights to name a few.
For information and to apply for the course go to, https://bit.ly/2pm6BLH
Or contact Course Coordinator, Jon Frost Jonathan.frost1@tafensw.edu.au

Focus on VET Pathways

Vocational education and training (VET) includes traineeships, apprenticeships and TAFE study.

Four out of five parents report that they would prefer their child to go to university than study VET, http://bit.ly/2vPBkPF but it is crucial that both parents and students take the time to understand the VET sector and that a preference for just university study may in some cases limit a young persons potential.

Between twenty and thirty per cent of young people in Australia drop out of or change their university course within the first year.  Many young people do not even consider studying VET due to incorrect perceptions or through a lack of understanding of the sector.

It is no secret that employers love job applicants who have TAFE qualifications, including those who graduate from a university degree with a VET qualification.

VET graduates are considered to have ‘job ready’ skills and in the future labour market in Australia, with one in every two young people expected to complete a Bachelor degree, it is more important than ever to have diverse skills, industry experience and more than one qualification (for example: a Bachelor of Engineering with a TAFE Diploma in Project Management).

Did you know that nine out of ten occupations predicted to have the most jobs growth by 2023 are in vocational training areas and in the industries with the most growth (for example: health and community services, construction and, accommodation and food services)?  Source: http://bit.ly/1mab7j7

Specific occupations with the biggest growth prediction include sales assistants, aged care workers, disability workers, enrolled nurses, electricians, chefs and early childhood education workers.

Current skills shortages are in occupations such as automotive trades, food trades, construction trades and building professionals.

A report, titled: “Perceptions Are Not Reality: Myths, realities and the critical role of vocational education and training in Australia”, was released by Skilling Australia Foundation last year, it revealed the following:
•  VET graduates earn wages comparable to, if not exceeding, that of university graduates.
•  VET graduates have a higher employment rate than university undergraduates.  More than seventy-eight per cent of VET graduates are employed after training.
•  VET courses have adapted more readily to changing workforce needs.

There are some occupations that require a university degree (for example: medicine, social work and law).

It is advisable that students consider undertaking VET study during their gap year (for example: gap year traineeship or TAFE course) and concurrently with their university studies (if time permits).

Other benefits of TAFE courses include:
•  Higher level courses (for example: Diploma) can provide a direct pathway into university courses with credit.
•  Can give you the opportunity to trial an industry or career area before you commit to university study.
•  Can give you a qualification you can use to gain part-time work whilst undertaking university study.

Do you know you can study a huge range of vocational courses at TAFE?  TAFE provides students with the opportunity to:
•  Undertake applied learning.
•  Gain ‘industry ready’ experience.
•  Learn about industries and careers.
•  Obtain a qualification in a relatively short time frame.

The following are example courses you could consider.
Jane knows she loves working with people, has excellent written and verbal communication skills, is creative, loves thinking outside the box, is highly organised and enjoys solving problems. She explores the following TAFE courses:
•  Public Relations
•  Marketing
•  Advertising
•  Professional Writing and Editing
•  Broadcast Journalism
•  Liberal Arts
•  Library and Information Services

Sheridan loves sciences and health and is considering working in rehabilitation, medical sciences or allied health in the future.  She explores the following courses:
•  Dental Technology
•  Nursing
•  Massage and Myotherapy
•  Allied Health Assistance
•  Laboratory Technology
•  Pathology Collection

Paul knows he loves helping people and that he would like to work in counselling, case management or human services in the future.  He explores the following courses:
•  Community Services
•  Youth Work
•  Disability Services
•  Mental Health
•  Alcohol and other Drugs
•  Aged Care

Focus on VET Pathways

To search for TAFE courses use the following websites:
•  Victorian Skills Gateway website, http://bit.ly/2cPZDUF
•  TAFE NSW, http://bit.ly/1mgtM05
•  MySkills (Australia wide), http://bit.ly/2gWp25g
•  Private Colleges Australia, http://bit.ly/2fd3Moe
It is important to note that many courses have optional or compulsory information sessions that run between now and the end of the year.  You will need to ensure that you attend these sessions and also fulfil any portfolio or selection task requirements.

Key VET websites include:
•  VET – VCAA, https://bit.ly/2CKD9Va
•  ‘VET. It’s Right Now’, https://bit.ly/2yhKLdT
•  Skills Road, https://bit.ly/2P2YazQ
•  SkillsOne, https://bit.ly/1zCKBUG
•  Myfuture, https://bit.ly/1t6Uj62
•  Australian Apprenticeship Pathways, https://bit.ly/2Glf3PD

Free TAFE for priority courses in Victoria

If you live or work in Victoria, you may be eligible for a fully subsidised course at a Victorian TAFE Institute next year.  The following are examples of eligible courses:

Non-apprenticeship courses:

Health and Community Services
•  Alcohol and Other Drugs
•  Ageing Support
•  Allied Health Assistance
•  Child, Youth and Family Intervention
•  Education Support
•  Individual Support
•  Justice
•  Mental Health
•  Nursing
•  Youth Work
•  Dental Assisting
•  Disability
•  Community Services

Agriculture/Horticulture
•  Horticulture
•  Agriculture
•  Agriculture (Dairy Production)

Built Environment
•  Engineering
•  Plumbing and Service
•  Rail Infrastructure
•  Civil Construction
•  Civil Construction Supervision
•  Concreting
•  Construction Waterproofing
•  Building and Construction (Building)
•  Building Surveying

Hospitality, Tourism and Business
•  Hospitality
•  Tourism
•  Commercial Cookery

Business, IT
•  Accounting and Bookkeeping
•  Accounting
•  Cyber Security

Apprenticeship pathway courses

The following courses are all Certificate II level:
•  Automotive:  Air Conditioning, Body Repair Technology, Servicing Technology, Vocational Preparation
•  Baking
•  Building and Construction
•  Construction Pathways
•  Electrotechnology
•  Engineering: Pathways, Studies
•  Furniture Making
•  Glass and Glazing
•  Horticulture
•  Meat Processing (Food Services)
•  Plumbing
•  Printing and Graphic Arts
•  Production Nursery
•  Salon Assistant
•  Signage and Graphics

To check your eligibility and to search for TAFE courses and providers, use the websites:
•  Victorian Skills Gateway, https://bit.ly/2yG6vzc
•  Victorian Government, https://bit.ly/2nR7NGs

UNSW Student Bragg Prize winner!

The winner of the 2019 UNSW Bragg Student Prize for Science Writing is Abbotsleigh student Arwyn Stone for her essay questioning the science (and ethics) behind increasingly popular fertility tracking apps used as an alternative contraceptive method, https://bit.ly/2IUZW1Y

The competition will be open to secondary students again in 2020, https://bit.ly/2VUwqlg

Projects Abroad: Volunteer Overseas

Students in Years 10 and 11 looking for something worthwhile to do over the summer should look no further than a short-term overseas volunteer placement with Projects Abroad.  Spots are still available in Nepal, Cambodia, Thailand or Fiji to teach English to local school children, help to build classrooms, conserve coral reef ecosystems in Thailand or learn about the medicine and healthcare system of a developing country in Nepal.  A range of scholarships for domestic students are available.  For information and to apply for the program go to, https://bit.ly/2IRUT21

Career events

La Trobe University:  Prospective students and their families are invited to attend the annual Engineering and IT Showcase, held at Union Hall, Bundoora Campus on Wednesday 27 November between 5:30 pm and 8:30 pm.  You will be able to view amazing La Trobe student industry projects and speak with current La Trobe students and lecturers.  This event will suit students interested in computer science, engineering and data science.  For information and to RSVP go to, https://bit.ly/2P9v3uE

Photography Studies College:  Photography Studies College third Year Bachelor students invite you to their graduate exhibition ‘AS I GAZE’ showcasing works from the Fine Art, Documentary and Commercial majors at the Centre for Contemporary Photography, Fitzroy.  You will be able to speak to current Photography Studies College students and staff.  The exhibition will be held from 2 to 10 November, https://bit.ly/2pIqWL4

The Hotel School Melbourne:  Prospective students are invited to attend an information evening being run on Tuesday 26 November at the Londsale Street, Melbourne Campus.  You will be able to tour the campus, meet current students and staff and speak to course advisers.  For information and to RSVP go to, https://bit.ly/32BzQJd

Cool articles from Careers with STEM

How cybersafe are you?  Take the quiz here, https://bit.ly/2Bul5f8

How to land a career in gaming:  If you are a gamer who is into Maths and technology, carving out a pathway in programming is the dream, right?  Here is what to study, which companies to hit up and what pay is like before you enter the industry, https://bit.ly/2obkUm0

Careers with STEM:  Code 2019 is here to remind you that careers in tech and computer science are for everyone!  We cannot know exactly what the jobs of the future will look like but we do know digital technology will be a driving force.
According to one report, more than half of Australian workers will need to be able to “use, configure or build digital systems” in the next two to three years and digital skills are valuable not just in the tech sphere, but across almost every industry, from agriculture to mining and tourism.  You can read the e-mag for free, as well as a Careers with STEM: Cybersecurity magazine, https://bit.ly/2Os7gCR

Who wants to be an engineer?

Do you prefer building bridges or creating engines?  Who has more fun – a civil engineer or an aerospace engineer?  Bring together skills and knowledge with a degree at RMIT.  Play this game to find out what type of engineering you would be best suited to and about student life at RMIT, https://bit.ly/2MVJrDK

Updates from La Trobe University

The Bachelor of Arts has been revamped!  From 2020, La Trobe University will be offering a revamped Bachelor of Arts.
Key highlights include: Over fifty majors and minors to choose from – the largest choice of any Victorian university.
Majors will be offered from other disciplines such as business and science so you can create a degree that suits your passions.
Examples of major combinations are listed below:
•  Environmental humanities and environmental geoscience
•  International studies and international business
•  Chinese studies and management
•  Visual cultures and marketing
•  Sociology and public health
•  Crime, justice and legal studies and psychology
•  Sustainability and development and economics
•  Politics and statistics

There will be specially designed international travel subjects such as:
•  Planning Issues in the Philippines
•  Product co-design workshop in Sarajevo in Bosnia
•  Ottoman History in and around Istanbul in Turkey
•  Southern Culture in the Mississippi Valley in the USA
•  Renaissance Italy taught in Tuscany
•  Sicily Through the Ages

For information and to explore the amazing majors on offer go to, https://bit.ly/31yAwgP

New international sustainability experience:  From next year, students studying selected degrees from the faculties of Arts, Social Sciences and Communications, and Business and Commerce will be able to apply for a two-week funded international experience to China or Vietnam.
You will spend a week working on sustainability projects, helping to find solutions to real world problems.  La Trobe University will cover the cost of airfares (with an open ended return date), accommodation, food, transport, visa fees and insurance.  For information go to, https://bit.ly/32x6D1T

Careers in Mining

The following information has been taken from Careers with STEM, https://bit.ly/2W2Yz5k

“Australia’s minerals industry is a diverse and vibrant sector, with many different opportunities for school leavers, apprentices and trainees, tradespeople and university graduates.

Some of the exciting careers on offer in mining include engineering, trades and mechanics, environmental science, geology and data analytics to name just a few.

Advances in technology are making the industry safer, more competitive and more sustainable, and the Australian minerals industry is rapidly adopting new technology such as robotics, drones, data science and virtual and augmented reality.  This will require a different skills mix for our future workforce.

Traditional jobs are also increasingly being boosted with new technology – for example, a shot-firer working on a drilling team will have the opportunity in Australia’s future minerals workforce to use drone technology to monitor automated rigs.

The Minerals Council of Australia has put together Australia’s first More to Mining Careers Guide to show the range of highly skilled, highly paid job opportunities on offer in our world-leading minerals industry.

Workers, students, industry experts and researchers from across Australia were interviewed for the More to Mining Careers Guide so they could share their mining career stories and bust some myths and stereotypes about the minerals industry.

There are so many different people and careers in mining, but they all have two things in common: they love their jobs and are proud of their industry.  Open your mind to an exciting future and find out why there is so much more to mining than you might think!”

You can download the guide from, https://bit.ly/2JaMyH9

Careers at the Commodore mine in Queenslands Darling Downs:  Careers with STEM, Downer and the Minerals Council of Australia have produced videos featuring people working at the Commodore mine and using technology such as drones, virtual reality, 3D models and gaming technology.  Watch the videos at this link, https://bit.ly/2MBSDOP

Interested in studying social work or human services?

If you love helping others, have excellent communication skills and you are passionate about social justice, a career in social work and human services could be the perfect fit for you.
Charles Sturt University is offering a free online introductory course “Exploring social work and human services career paths” for students.
Available now, this self-paced interactive online course from Charles Sturt University gives you the opportunity to:
•  Explore the field of social work and human services
•  Hear from industry professionals who are working in these fields
•  Discover a diverse range of exciting careers and professional pathways
•  Learn about the knowledge and skills required for career success
•  Find out what it is like to study social work and human services at Charles Sturt University.
For information and to sign up for the course go to, https://bit.ly/2N1UpaT

Have you considered studying pharmacy?

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Ltd has just released a report called “Pharmacists in 2030: Roles and Remuneration”.  It explores the evolving role of pharmacists in Australia, potential changes to role descriptions for specialist pharmacists and remuneration.
Anyone considering exploring a career in pharmacy should read this report, https://bit.ly/31BWEXZ

In Victoria, you can study pharmacy at the following three universities:
•  Monash University, https://bit.ly/2XBnrCx
•  La Trobe University, https://bit.ly/31v6QkU
•  RMIT University, https://bit.ly/2p7eDrZ

Updates from Monash University

Monash Peninsula Student Experience Day:  Offering a range of insightful and interactive workshops for Years 10 and 11 students, this day is perfect for students who are passionate about education or business.  Students will participate in one of our faculty workshops and will also hear from a leading education academic on managing stress, building resilience and staying motivated.  This is a great opportunity to visit and explore our Peninsula Campus.  The event will be held Thursday 28 November, https://bit.ly/33JZHPc

Changes to entry to Physiotherapy:  From 2020, you will have two opportunities to be able to study physiotherapy at Monash University – an undergraduate and a graduate pathway.
•  Option 1 – undergraduate:  Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours).  The indicative ATAR for this course is 97.35.
•  Option 2 – graduate entry:  If you are concerned you will not achieve the ATAR for the Bachelor degree, you can apply to study an eligible degree at Monash such as Bachelor of Biomedical Science or Health Sciences and then apply for the new three-year Doctor of Physiotherapy at Monash once you graduate.  For information on entry criteria go to, https://bit.ly/2W4IqgM
To cover both options, add back up Bachelor degrees to your VTAC preference list.

Engineering at Monash University:  Interested in keeping up to date with what goes on in the Faculty of Engineering?  Sign up to their newsletter!  You can read about what students are up to and see the impact of Monash’s research and partnerships.  It is also a great tool to help you better understand what engineers do, https://bit.ly/32IudZO

Diploma pathways to popular degrees at Monash University
•  Diploma of Tertiary Studies:  Provides a pathway into the following Bachelor degrees – Business, Education and Nursing, https://bit.ly/32CfDmr
•  Diploma of Higher Education:  Provides a pathway into the following Bachelor degrees – Science and Education, https://bit.ly/2MAZ0lj
Add the Diploma/s to your VTAC preferences as back up options.

Explore Psychology at Monash University:  Do you wonder how the human mind works?  Studying psychology is a chance to analyse how we think and behave.  Monash offers a range of pathways for students with a passion for psychology – from a specialist degree, to a major or minor within their Arts or Science degrees (or double degrees).  Assess your options at this link, https://bit.ly/2pGRKvl

Updates from RMIT University

Learn to fly at RMIT:  Becoming a professional pilot in the competitive field of aviation can lead to a satisfying and well-paid career.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) found that in the most likely scenario 980,733 pilots will be required globally in 2030, with 229,676 of these in the Asia Pacific region.  RMIT holds an Air Operator’s Certificate, which means their students are highly employable with more than the minimum number of hours spent in the air when they graduate.  RMIT has trained more than 3,000 pilots from around the world and our graduates have gone on to work in the aviation industry, both in Australia and overseas.
RMIT now offers flight training at both Point Cook and Bendigo.  For information and to book in for an information session at the Bendigo Campus go to, https://bit.ly/32FvEb6
Pathways tool: As we know, the traditional path into university is not the only one. Pathways give the opportunity to access our large range of vocational education courses that lead onto Undergraduate study. View our exciting new pathways tool to find out more, https://bit.ly/2p2Jmq4

Theatre at The University of Melbourne

The Faculty of Fine Arts and Music has developed a new video for students considering applying to study Theatre.  It shows students in action and clearly explains the difference between acting and theatre.  The video also includes a few great student stories and comments from Matt Delbridge, Head of Theatre at the VCA, https://bit.ly/2N6uZsI

FlickerUp Film Competition

Passionate about filmmaking?  Flickerfest, Australia’s largest and only Academy® Award accredited and BAFTA recognised international short film festival, is now accepting entries from around Australia for the FlickerUp competition.  FlickerUp is Flickerfest’s national youth short film competition.  Short film entries are invited from primary and secondary school students or filmmakers under eighteen years of age across Australia.  For information about the initiative and to apply by Saturday 9 November go to, http://flickerfest.com.au/

CCUSA: Volunteer Overseas in 2020

If you are in Year 12 and are looking for a gap year overseas, Camp Counsellors USA (CCUSA) is running their annual American and Canadian Job Fair in Sydney on 8 December.  Up to twenty-five American and Canadian summer camp organisations will be coming to Australia to interview and hire staff for June to August 2020 summer camp.  For information on this exciting opportunity go to, https://bit.ly/2p2PSgx

Passionate about languages?

Having a second language is great for your future employment prospects.  Did you know that you can study a Diploma of Languages whilst you are studying a Bachelor degree at most universities?
You do not need to have any previous experience with the language you are interested in.  The following are examples of Diploma programs at several universities:
•  The University of Melbourne, http://bit.ly/2dNWJBV
•  Monash University, https://bit.ly/35RAeFf
•  La Trobe University, http://bit.ly/2elX5k6
•  Deakin University, https://bit.ly/2JcPd1u
•  RMIT, http://bit.ly/2eYjqWR
•  Australian National University, http://bit.ly/2dBGTHt

Economics resource

The Reserve Bank of Australia has developed career resources for prospective students interested in pursuing a career in economics.  You can access the resources at this link, http://bit.ly/2it8bYI

Search for university scholarships

The Country Education Foundation has developed a resource to assist Year 12 students to find and apply for university scholarships.  To access the resource go to, http://bit.ly/2yGMSGX

Preparing for exams

The following articles have been taken from Deakin ‘this’, https://bit.ly/2CYPdlB
•  Exam tips from high achieving Year 12s
•  Effective ways to memorise for exams
•  How to succeed in your final exams
•  Students take notes and ace your exams

Youth Central:  Exam preparation tips, http://bit.ly/1tj9QPF

Lisa’s Study Guides:  Focused on preparing for Victorian English exams, https://bit.ly/227DGng

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

NOVEMBER

• 2 to 10:  Photography Studies College Graduate Exhibition, Photography Studies College, Fitzroy, https://bit.ly/2pIqWL4

• 12:  Deakin Accelerate Information Webinar, Deakin University, online, https://bit.ly/2p0912o

• 26:  Information Evening, The Hotel School Melbourne, Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, https://bit.ly/32BzQJd

• 27:  Engineering and IT Showcase, La Trobe University, Bundoora, https://bit.ly/2P9v3uE

• 28:  Monash Peninsula Student Experience Day, Monash University, Peninsula Campus, Years 10 and 11 students, https://bit.ly/33JZHPc