Careers@Numurkah

INTRODUCTION

Yesterday Ms Corbo & I had the pleasure of speaking to the Year 11 & 12 students during period 5 & 6 about various aspects of 2009 & beyond.  Please quiz your child about the information given to them and ask where you can locate the information which was given to them…. they should be able to direct you to the college web site – career link.  Some parents availed themselves of the opportunity to partake in a scrumptious afternoon tea, chat to staff and enjoy an informal presentation about their child’s VCE year.  We encourage feedback from parents about how we can cater to families to disperse this information in the most effective manner possible, the attendance at the information afternoon sessions was disappointing considering the importance of this year for our students.
Students who missed out on the information session due to VET or illness will attend another session during long home-groups on Friday.
All information given to parents can be found on our career blog page, as are copies of articles from previous Chit Chat editions.  Just click on the career link on the college home page www.numurkahsc.vic.edu.au… It’s all there!

UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS – NEW

Don’t forget to book in for the Food Handlers and Responsible Service of Alcohol Certificates on the 4th and 11th March – all VCE students are invited to participate – please drop by to put your name on the list in my office.  $55 per certificate or $100 for the two.

AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE CADETS (AAFC) WANTS YOU!!!

Are you male or female and aged between 13 & 18 year of age?   Would you like to improve your leadership skills, confidence and teamwork abilities?   The Australian Air Force Cadets provides young adults with the opportunity to experience life in the Air Force, and enables members to participate in activities such as flying, bushcraft, firearms safety training and even the opportunity to go on an international Air Cadet Exchange plus much more.  We are holding a recruiting night where you can come along and find out more and see some of what we do, with no commitment Friday 27th Feb, 2009 @ 7.00pm @ Somme Barracks, Sobroan Street, Shepparton.  If you would like to find out more information you can contact Karen Clampit on 0439770602 or Georgina Wickham on 58254594

The Age VCE and Careers Expo: This is a planned excursion for our VCE students on the 24th April (beginning of Term 2)…  this is a fantastic annual event which enables senior school students to participate in a diverse range of over 120 seminars related to VCE subjects, gap year opportunities, Institute courses, career pathways and VCE study skills. 150 organisations will be in attendance, enabling students to be able to talk to course advisers.

UPCOMING STATE EVENTS

Interested in learning more about the University of Melbourne? Then you should consider attending a ‘Meet Melbourne’ Seminar. You and your parents/ guardians will be able to learn more about the Melbourne Model, student facilities and services, courses, scholarships and accommodation options. The sessions run between 6.30 – 8pm for students and families and will be held in Shepparton on the 3rd of March. Please contact Charisma Fe De Castro for more information on 03 8344 0272 or cfdc@unimelb.edu.au 
The National Careers & Employment Expo: If you are in yrs 10 – 12 and would like to learn more about your desired career or be able to talk to experts about how to develop new career ideas then this is the expo for you. Higher Education Institutions will be in attendance as well as industry experts running seminars, career advisers, stage activities and there is also a try a trade area. The event is being held at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre on the 27th of March. If you would like to learn more about this event go to www.eocexpo.com.au

HIGHER EDUCATION

Folio Preparation Courses: Some tertiary courses require you to have a portfolio as part of their selection process. The RMIT Folio preparation courses cover areas such as Graphic Design, Graphic Arts, Digital Media, Interior Design, Visual Merchandising, Visual/ Fine Art, Drawing Techniques for Design, Multimedia, Career Discovery- Building Design & Drawing and Introduction to Architectural Drawing Techniques. The short courses range in cost. Contact Nick Maggio on 03 9925 9161 for more info or go to www.shortcourses.rmit.edu.au
News from Wodonga Institute of TAFE! “Where 2 start… Portfolio Preparation” – When considering a future in design, it is of the utmost importance to showcase effectively your existing skills and abilities within the field. Wodonga TAFE has developed this course to guide you through the process of creating a strong diverse body of work in a folio format. We look at the preparation for entry into tertiary education as well as the workplace. We address questions such as ‘What is out there?’ ‘What pathways are available?’ ‘Where should I study?’ ‘What are clients looking for?’ This course is run in three parts, enabling you to keep on top of the workload resulting in thorough preparation: content development, structuring the folio, the final touches. Wednesday nights, 6pm-8pm starting 11 March 2009. Contact Kath Rattray on 02 6055 6308 or email krattray@wodongatafe.edu.au
UMAT: Some courses like Medicine, Optometry, Dentistry and Physiotherapy require you to undertake the Undergraduate Medical Admissions Test. You need to register for this test by June and you sit the test in July. Several companies offer UMAT preparation programs at a cost including MedEntry www.medentry.edu.au/  and National Institute of Education http://www.nie.edu.au/nie.html

GAP YEAR INFORMATION

Ski & Snowboard Training and Internship Opportunities: Would you like to have the opportunity to travel overseas after school and work as a Ski and Snowboard instructor? Educating Adventures Limited run GAP Year Ski and Snowboard Internships at Whistler Canada and Lake Tahoe, USA. Applications for the Internships are open now! To find out more, contact the EA Ski and Snowboard Team on 0) 02 8011 4981, email sstraining@educatingadventures.com or go to www.educatingadventures.com

Lattitude Global Volunteering: (Media Release) “Applications are now invited for Lattitude Global Volunteering 2010. With more than 35 years experience, Lattitude (formerly Gap Activity Projects) continues to offer students the original year out, with international volunteer projects available in the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, or the Pacific, with projects now available in Mexico and Malawi. Volunteers experience a new culture and have the chance to do valuable work that enriches the lives of others whilst making a meaningful contribution. Volunteers receive food, accommodation, and in most cases weekly pocket money, along with assistance organising everything, and pre departure briefing and in country support. To find out more, speak to Mrs Scadden. Applications for 2009 and 2010 are still invited, applications close 20- May 2009. Early Bird applications close 30- April and priority will be given to all applicants for the UK received by this date”. Go to www.lattitude.org.au for more information.

Volunteer Abroad World Education Program Australia: Offers GAP Year programs to young people 18 yrs + in the USA, South America, Africa and Asia. You will be able to work in programs which help communities in need. For more information, please contact Judith Ortmann on 1300 884 733, email info@volunteerabroad.com.au or go to www.volunteerabroad.com.au 

EMPLOYMENT/ APPRENTICESHIPS

 School Based Apprenticeship – Business – Shepparton
 Cert III Retail Irrigation Traineeship – Shepparton
 Cert III Business Traineeship – Shepparton
 Dairy Traineeship – Katunga
 Engineering Apprenticeship – Furphys
 Plastering Apprenticeship – GV Plaster

INDUSTRY NEWS

Have a passion for Law? Then check out the following activities held during Law Week, 11th – 17th of May. Law Week Schools Poster Competition: If you are interested in the field of Law and have a creative flair, you should consider entering the Law Week Schools Poster competition! “The School Poster Competition encourages students to take a creative approach and challenge stereotypical representations of law and justice”. This years’ theme is ‘Law at Work’. The best judged poster will become the official poster for Law Week and you will be able to win cash prizes for you and your school. Applications must be in by the 13th of March. To find out more and to obtain an application form, see Mrs Scadden or go to www.victorialawfoundation.org.au. Schools in the City: On the 13th of March, numerous Law activities and sessions will be held in Melbourne for school students. Speak to Mrs Scadden to find out what events you can attend.

Aviation- Skills Shortage Area! Interested in a career in Aviation (i.e., pilot, air traffic control, mechanic, engineer, air port manager)? Did you know that over the next 5 yrs, some of our major airlines will be recruiting at least 600 new pilots per year- with many being recruited from Australia? If the thought of flying excites you, then you should consider doing a Cert IV, Diploma or Advanced Diploma in Aviation through the Bacchus Marsh School of Aviation. You could be working as a fully qualified pilot by the finish of your VCE/ VCAL. They also now offer a Graduate Certificate in International Aviation.  You can explore the idea through participating in the Bacchus Marsh Aerodrome introductory “Flightcamp” over the school holidays. Media Release: “Interested in aviation as a career or recreation? Try a Flightcamp! Flightcamp is a residential camp for young adults aged 15 – 20 years. Students: experience hands on flying training, helicopters, guest speakers, airport tours, air displays and much more. Experienced staff, including ex Defence Force and Airline Personnel can answer all your questions on life as a pilot. All hours accrued on Flightcamp count towards year 11 and 12 aviation. Contact TVSA on 03 5369 5162, email: fly@tvsa.com.au or www.flightcamp.com.au “
Rural Skills Cadetship Program Expressions of Interest are currently open for students and businesses.  This program provides support for cadetships of up to $4,000 for full-time TAFE and university students to obtain semester break employment in regional areas while studying.  Students will receive up to $2,500 towards their educational, transport and living costs while studying provided they complete a minimum of six weeks full time employment or 200 hours part time.   The employer will be paid up to $1250 per year on completion of the 12 month period of employment.  This program is funded by the Victorian State Government, as part of the Moving Forward Strategy.   Funding is based on a competitive grants application process and preference will be given to cadetships not located in major provincial cities.  Applications close 23 March, 2009.  For further information please contact Janine Caioffa, Business Network 0fficer 1300 666 535

WEEKLY WEBSITE ALERT!

My Future: This is a brilliant website which enables to students to develop a personal career profile, learn about different careers, search tertiary scholarships, and find higher education courses. Go to www.myfuture.edu.au/ for more information.

AUSTRALIAN APPRENTICESHIPS

Australian School Based Apprenticeships, what is it and how does it work?  That is the question many parents and employers ask.  So here is some information to take the myth out of it all.
Benefits to students. School students can be placed with an employer in a chosen field of 1 to 2 days a week, incorporating this into their school life.  In some cases making it an elective subject at years 10, 11 and 12 level.  On completion the student (Australian Apprentice) will receive two nationally recognised certificates.  One being their school certificate, the other a Certificate II, in their chosen field.  It is a paid position, therefore combining all the benefits of “real industry experience” and specific skills training in the workplace and the result is greater opportunities for our regions youth.
Benefits to employer. The employer employs a young enthusiastic student looking to gain some experience in that field, with the potential of turning the position into a full time apprenticeship.  Helps to retain the youth in regional areas and also helps to address the skills shortage areas.  Business can plan their future staffing, making the Australian School Based Apprentice a successful progression plan for all involved.  All training for Australian School Based Apprentices is conducted at the work place.  Employers may be entitled to up to $2000 of government incentives.

CONTACT DETAILS
Just pop into my office during recess or lunch to make an appointment to see me.  Parents are welcome to call and book a time. 58621088 or 0429 407766.

All information has been compiled from correspondence from Universities,TAFEs and other organizations. All information is believed to correct at the time of writing.