Thanks to the support and guidance of staff at BUSY Schools Salisbury, a group of Year 11 students are building more than just their career pathways, as they work towards completing a Certificate I in Construction.  The course is delivered through Skill360, a Registered Training Organisation and also a part of the BUSY Group. During the course, over two school terms, the students are learning to build cabinetry for the school kitchen.

Sebastian and Taylor are two students whose attendance were low at their previous schools, but now find themselves more motivated and actually wanting to show up to their classes.

“It’s a really good environment to be in, everyone is super friendly and accepting which is a nice change,” said Taylor.

“The teachers are also more involved in your schoolwork and offer one-on-one support for those students who require further assistance.”

Sebastian recently passed a Mathematics assessment for the first time in a long time which he was really proud of, especially since it is one of his favourite subjects.

“The teachers took the time to sit down and go through the work with me so I could understand it better, rather than just telling me what to do and expecting me to figure it out on my own,” said Sebastian.

“BUSY Schools has helped me out so much since I have been here, especially with this Construction course which will hopefully lead to a career in Carpentry or Plumbing.”

Taylor is also really enjoying the Construction course as she is learning new skills and has become more confident. In addition, to the Certificate I in Construction, Taylor is also completing a Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology as part of her school-based apprenticeship which she attends every Friday.

“I find the hands-on work quite interesting and the best part about this experience is being able to get out into the workforce and learn everything about it,” said Taylor.

Lee Aitken, CEO for BUSY Schools said, “BUSY Schools prepares students for life after school by providing real career support with planning for each individual pathway, relevant vocational education and training courses, work experience and school-based apprenticeship and traineeship opportunities. This not only builds their confidence, but also prepares and gives them a head start with the vocational skills and experience to kick start their careers.”

For more information, visit https://www.busyschools.qld.edu.au/

Sebastian (L) and Taylor (R) are students at BUSY Schools Salisbury and are completing a Certificate I in Construction as part of their school curriculum.

MEDIA CONTACT:                     

Michelle Ryan, BUSY At Work

0407 169 029 or email michelle.ryan@busyatwork.com.au

Want to get ahead of the pack? Here’s why a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship is a really smart move.

1. You are effectively in part-time employment and get to ‘earn while you learn’

A school-based apprenticeship or traineeship means that for approximate 7.5 hours a week, you are employed and at work. This is usually during the week in school hours and forms part of your school curriculum, although you may also do more hours over the school holidays or on weekends if that works for you and your employer. Even better, you get paid while undertaking your apprenticeship or traineeship, just like any other employee. What could you use that money for?

2. You get to trial an industry or career path

If you are considering a career path, a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship allows you to experience the industry and/or role that you are interested in. This will help you make up your mind while giving you a real taste of what it is like. Say you are interested in becoming a builder, a mechanic, a chef or a hairdresser – a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship can allow you to experience the industry, get some insights from your co-workers, supervisors and other contacts, and from there you can make an informed choice.

3. You get a head start into a career path

Before even leaving school, you are gaining work experience, making employer contacts, getting a reference to put on your resume (very important for future job hunting) and on your way to becoming qualified. What’s not to like? Even if you do decide to go to university or have a gap year after school, that work experience and reference will help you to gain future work to support yourself.  And if you do decide to continue in your apprenticeship or traineeship after leaving school (with your current or a new employer) you are employed and earning money straight away. That’s a really smart move!

4. It can open you to future career paths

With over 500 different qualifications under a traineeship or apprenticeship, there are so many opportunities and choices! For example, you could start a school-based apprenticeship as an electrician and then decide you want to become an electrical engineer. Or you start a traineeship in business administration and further down the track move your way into human resources or accounting. Your school based apprenticeship or traineeship may inspire you to go onto university or further education in that field. Many people who begin their careers through apprenticeships  also become highly successful business owners, working for themselves and making some serious ‘mullah’. Dare to dream and the possibilities are endless!

If you are considering a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship your best move is to talk to your school career advisor or a teacher. You can also search through school-based opportunities on the Apprenticeship Central website or even approach employers directly to ask if they would consider employing you under a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship – they may even be eligible for government funding to help with your wages.

Whichever way you look at it, undertaking a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship is a smart move to make and can set you up for success – before even leaving school.

When Kira enrolled at the BUSY School Cairns Campus in Term Three, 2020 her plans were to progress into hotel management. Inspired by the teaching staff at the school and a subsequent four-day work experience, Kira soon changed her sights to a career in education.

Throughout Term Three and Four, Kira built relationships with the BUSY Schools staff and her confidence continually blossomed.  In Term Four, Kira sat with Cairns Campus Principal, Naomi Vucas, in her Year 12 planning meeting and discussed how her plans had changed and that she now wanted to move into early childhood education.

Naomi searched for training courses that would lead her in that direction and assisted her in enrolling in a Certificate II Community Services (early education).  From there, BUSY School contacted Yorkeys Knob State School to organise a block of work experience in a prep classroom to ensure that she knew more about this pathway.

Just this week, Kira spent four days in the prep classroom, nervously arriving on Monday she soon felt better after seeing a friendly BUSY staff member ready to greet her and get her started.  When the first day ended she was asked how it went.

“It was great!  I did some filing, some little jobs, some marking and working with the kids that need a little extra help.  I had so much fun.  Thank you again for setting this up,” Kira stated.

Her time at Yorkeys Knob State School has reaffirmed Kira’s decision to start her career path towards early education.  The main thing she learnt about working with young children is to ‘always start a new day as a fresh start’.

“At the end of my work experience I gave all the kids a chocolate to say thanks for having me and the reaction from them all just melted my heart.”

“I’ve always been told that I am good with kids and previously I worked in a holiday program and I really just love seeing the difference in the kids from when they start school to when they finish and seeing them develop. It’s amazing to see.”

At BUSY Schools, students are encouraged and supported to find a career path that suits their passions and skills.

“Our school is all about finding each student’s strength to guide them towards a path that they will thrive in. It is great to see Kira excited about a career in education, it is a really rewarding career path and with her enthusiasm and attitude, we’re sure she will succeed in this path”, Principal at the Cairns Campus, Naomi Vucas stated.

During her final Year 12 schooling, Kira will complete her Certificate II in Community Services and BUSY Schools will assist her to find the most suitable pathway into university.  Conversations about her best options are already in progress with the local university.

For more information regarding BUSY Schools contact 1300 176 472 or email admin@busyschools.com.au