Written by
Ava Akbarian
With approximately 20% unemployed young Australians in 2020, gaining skills for careers in high school is very important. Ensuring your child begins engages with careers in high school will ease the transition into the workforce following their education.
The Assistant Minister for Youth and Employment Services, Luke Howarth MP explains the plan for 2022 is to give young people skills and opportunities following the global pandemic.
The NSW government found the most effective ways for young Australians to engage in the workforce include vocational and workplace training, job search assistance and career guidance and counselling.
Work experience is one of the main ways students can engage with careers in high school.
Work experience or ‘Workplace learning’ options are available in most high schools.
There are many variations of work placements depending on the high school.
Schools need to approve work experience placements
Work experience usually takes place in Year 9 or 10
Work experience placements are unpaid
Work experience usually last 1-2 weeks but can be tailored to your child’s needs or the employer’s needs
Finding and participating in one or more work experience placements provides guidance for your child’s future career. Students are exposed to the industry or profession they are considering.
That’s ok!
If your child is unsure of what they are interested in or how to arrange work experience they can contact their school’s careers advisors.
Schools will have one person dedicated to careers who can assist with finding your child’s interests or local businesses for them.
If your child already has an idea of what they want to do they can observe a workplace and may even be able to contribute. They can solidify or eliminate different options for their future career.
Work experience allows students to gain necessary professional skills for their resume when applying for their first job.
Getting practical skills is a great way for your child to explore careers in high school.
Students can gain practical skills by taking vocation based classes or finding part-time/casual employment.
Many Australian school students balance their schooling with part-time or casual work commitments. Australia has one of the highest rates of combining work and study across OECD countries.
Part-time jobs can instil confidence and independence that your teen can carry out into their future career. This is also a great opportunity to network and establish contacts with adult employers in the future.
School-aged students mostly enter the hospitality or retail industry. Some common jobs for school-aged children include:
Cashiers
Waiter/waitress
Front counter staff
Sales assistant
Receptionist/assistant or administrative roles in the office
Babysitting
Sports umpiring
There is no minimum age limit in Australia, however some states have some restrictions for children under the age of 15. This may include restrictions on hours or the type of work.
Some schools offer vocational education training (VET) courses as part of the HSC or final year curriculum options.
The NSW Department of Education reported that students who studied a VET qualification at school:
Have a 78% employment rate
Earned a median annual starting salary of $56,000.00
In Victoria, changes to senior study have prepared pathways for students to enter the workforce straight away.
Volunteering is a fantastic way for students to get out there and gain some practical skills.
Volunteering in specialised areas allows your child to get a feel for careers in high school.
Enquiry within the school
Speak to a careers advisor
Speak to relevant school staff
Join school extracurricular activities or clubs
Build networks and ask contacts
Join Facebook groups in your city
A great way for your child to gain ideas for exploring careers in high school is to determine potential career paths they will pursue.
From their your child can:
Choose the appropriate subjects
Network with relevant people at school events
Join niche clubs and extracurricular activities at school
Speak to a careers advisor about relevant job options, subject options or school events
From here your child will develop a portfolio, resume and fundamental skills before leaving school.
About
Ava works as a Digital Writer for School Choice Magazine as well as a a contributor to the annual ‘Choosing a School Magazine’.