12 Dec Are you a part of the Workplace Learning Program?
Southern Region BEC have been pairing senior high school students with local employers under the Structured Workplace Learning Program for over 17 years.
In 2017 alone, we have coordinated more than 800 placements throughout Queanbeyan, Braidwood, Cooma, Yass, Goulburn and Crookwell.
In 2018 we hope that you will also be a part of this fundamental program supporting our youth and future industry skills.
Being a host employer under the structured workplace learning program is a rewarding experience both personally and for your business.
Recognised by local schools and your wider community as a business who supports our youth, you will also:
• Have the opportunity to engage with local youth
• Enable a student to put theory in to practice in a true work environment
• Enable a student to trial their chosen industry in a “real” setting
• Give back to your industry
• Share your industry skills, knowledge and passion
• Enable your employees to share their learned skills and knowledge
• Contribute to your industry’s relevance for future employment
• Contribute in helping reduce youth unemployment
• Trial students’ suitability for current or future employment
• Inspire students to stay on track on their path from school to work
Employers already engaged in our program have all joined the program to share their skills and assist our future industry workers/leaders. Most of our hosts have become very committed to the program and to the future outcomes of the students they host. Many have felt the rewards of hosting and are eager to host multiple students per year. Others have continued to offer their assistance to the program for in excess of 10 years.
So, what is the Structured Workplace Learning Program?
The Structured Workplace Learning Program coordinates the mandatory work placements senior high school students are required to complete when they are studying a Vocational Education Training course towards their HSC.
Industry Curriculum Frameworks courses are Board of Education developed, contribute to the Higher School Certificate and lead to nationally recognised Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualifications.
These courses, which require the completion of industry relevant work placements, provide students with a head start towards an industry specific career and pathways to further study.
These courses include:
Automotive
Business Services
Construction
Electrotechnology
Entertainment
Hospitality
Human Services
Information Technology
Metal & Engineering
Primary Industries
Retail Services
Tourism
Whatever your reasons for joining the program, if you believe that you and/or your workplace have skills to share, can provide a safe environment for a young person to work, have the capacity to host and supervise a student for 1 week at a time, the Structured Workplace Learning Program is for you.
I have been a Workplace Learning Coordinator with Southern Region BEC for the past four years looking after some of the local high schools within our region. During that time, I have met so many inspiring people and businesses who are so committed to sharing their time and skills with the Senior High School students. These committed hosts with their community spirit, who are helping students secure a positive future, are the reason that my role has become an enjoyable long term commitment.
If you too would like to support your community and local students by becoming a host employer, we would love to hear from you!