More than a taster into vocations for students

A VARIETY of career options are what a pilot TAFE program aimed to offer secondary school students throughout western Victoria.

About 600 students throughout the region are expected to take part in Federation University’s Vocational Taster program this year.

On Monday 16 March, students from Bacchus Marsh College took part in the program.

The students at the university’s Mount Helen campus learnt health service skills such as first aid and wearing personal protective equipment.

Darren Gray, pro vice chancellor of VET and pathways and chief executive officer of Federation TAFE, said they were one of four institutions to host the pilot.

The program, which received state government funding, is divided between full-day experiences for year 9 students and five-week programs for year 10s.

“We received around $700,000 to set up taster programs across in-demand industry sectors to provide young people from secondary school with the opportunity to experience what it would be like to study in that particular area, and we cover all the in-demand areas from health, the trade areas, hospitality, renewable energy, IT and others,” the pro vice chancellor said.

Member for Eureka Michaela Settle, who had students from her electorate taking part in Monday’s activities, said it was an opportunity for young people to see what was possible in TAFE.

“It means that young people can have a look, see whether they’re interested and sign on up,” she said.

Emma Crew, assistant principal at Bacchus Marsh College, said the project provided students with flexible options.

“This means that they do have the experience before they bother signing up to a whole year-long program or potentially two-year program,” Ms Crew said.

She said it also presented students into their senior secondary years with another appealing reason for further education.

Year 10 Bacchus Marsh College student Leroy Ulutoa enjoyed Monday’s activities.

“Doing this deeper dive today, it really helped me gain a grasp of what it’s like to work in healthcare,” Leroy said.

Fellow students Tayla Nasir and Amelia Pearson said the program offered different and relevant pathways.