Although many educators encourage students to pursue higher education after high school, in reality, many students choose not to do so for a variety of reasons. Having a college degree can open doors to lucrative and stable careers, but young people who do not go to college also have the opportunity to be just as successful, and there are programs in place to help them prepare for entering the workforce. In Australia, students are offered training through the Vocational and Educational Training (VET) program that helps them choose a career path after high school.
In the state of South Australia, the VET program offers a wide range of subjects for students, and former students who dropped out of school, to prepare them for life after school. Automotive technology, tourism operations, and information technology are examples of what students can study for their vocational training. Students can begin studying in years 11 and 12 (stage 1 and stage 2). In addition, there are a number of accredited organizations that offertraining and apprenticeships for those still enrolled in school and for those who are no longer attending high school.
According to an April 7 article in the Queensland Times, Ipswich State High School in Queensland recently opened a training salon for young adults who want to become certified hairdressers or beauty workers when they finish high school. There are more than 100 students enrolled in the program, and the students work under professional beauty workers, learning the ins and outs of working at a salon. The salon is open to the public and offers a full range of services.
At four South Burnett high schools in Queensland, administrators have made it a priority to make sure graduating students are prepared to not only go to college, but also to enter the workforce right away. The schools have focused on making connections with local businesses to assist students in transitioning directly into the workforce.
“We're supporting the kids who want to go the university and we're supporting the kids who want to go straight into a job,” Murgon State High School principal Brian King told the South Burnett Times and Rural Weekly in a May 8 article.
At Enfield High School in Gepps Cross, South Australia, educators recruited struggling Year 10 students to participate in a project making short films focusing on different professions to teach their peers about possible career opportunities. The project, part of the myfuture Student Video Competition, teaches a wide range of creative and technical skills and offers students a chance to plan for their futures. At Enfield, the 26 participating students profiled an electrician, a firefighter, and a dancer, among other occupations, and discussed the skills needed for each job.
By providing this training, Australia's education system is helping students learn the skills necessary to succeed in the ever-competitive marketplace once they leave school.
