HIA have disseminated information on Vocational Education in Schools pathways via publications, posters and the ‘Big Plans’ website
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The HIA have successfully piloted a bricklaying initiative to introduce bricklaying as a career with pathways to self-employment and financial independence.
Employability skills are discussed and emphasised to students so they better understand the importance of these skills for their futures.
The HIA acts as a broker of new student/employer relationships. For example, in Queensland, they have contributed to the sign up of 30 apprentices in the South East corner of Queensland.
The HIA is planning to be a stakeholder in a job matching service through a special database.
For further information please visit the Housing Building Industry Association Ltd website.
The PIAA have advancing greater awareness and understanding of vocational education in schools. PIAA’s national management group has developed a VET in Schools policy over recent years and this has been adopted in varying ways and to varying extents by the state branches. The common thread has been to set goals that will ultimately ensure adequate flow from schools to industry at different levels. There are regular discussions on opportunities to increase the take up of School-based New Apprentices.
PIAA have surveyed their members and feedback flows into ongoing policy development processes. Surveys have shown that employer awareness and positive attitude towards School-based New Apprentices is increasing.
There have been several instances where industry has been able to source new staff (work experience, school-based trainees, trainees, apprentices) by using PIAA as an intermediary between themselves and schools guidance and job placement staff.
PIAA recently launched a website New Print Pathway which aims to acquaint teachers, student and those leaving school with a comprehensive description of career options in the industry, including the pathways currently available.
They regularly engage in discussions with members to make them aware of opportunities to increase take up of School-based New Apprentices. They are working on setting targets for industry ITAB in QLD including for School-based New Apprentices.
For more information visit the Printing Industries Association of Australia (PIAA) Print Net website.
The ARA have conducted industry surveys and interviews to determine current knowledge and participation in VET in Schools. This programme has fed into the consideration and delivery of VET in Schools information to industry.
They are providing opportunities to teachers to better understand industry views on enterprise education. Incentives are in place to inform students and parents about careers pathways including specific marketing initiatives. The ARA have contributed to discussion on changes to Retail pathways for students.
The ARA has examined industry gaps and future needs. The ARA continues to research the needs of the Retail industry.
For further information please visit the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) website.
Master Builders has been working closely with its members, industry stakeholders including kindred industry associations, schools, parents and business associations to develop communication protocols to promote vocational education in schools.
Master Builders uses its extensive network of offices in to encourage employers to host young people on their sites and deliver structured workplace learning.
The Master Builders are working closely with appropriate government authorities to seek a safety-net wage for young people participating in School-based New Apprenticeships.
Master Builders has a well developed National Training Advisory Committee structure that drives all policy, including Vocational Education in Schools policy. In the latter half of 2003 a large volume of work was undertaken to review the existing national training packages including a Certificate 1 outcome for use in schools.
The success of providing the opportunity for school students to pursue vocational education and training in schools has been far more successful than the traditional apprenticeship, with only a five per cent attrition rate in the School-based apprenticeships.
The School-based New Apprenticeships Programme in the ACT has been very successful, particularly the ACT Indigenous Project.
The Master Builders in conjunction with the Housing Industry Association has pursed the development of a high class career website named Big Plans which encourages young people to view a vocation in the building industry as a life long opportunity.
In Victoria the Master Builders Australia launched an industry first career expo in 2003 which gained the support of secondary schools, TAFE colleges, universities and building practitioners. It was attended by over 6000 young people from across Victoria.
For more information visit the Master Builders Australia (MBA) website.
R & C have been promoting the features and benefits of Vocational Education and Training in Schools via their National magazine and also via regional restaurant and catering publications.
The R and C surveyed a number of its members in Queensland and Victoria to seek their understanding of Vocational Education and Training in Schools and to seek feedback with employers’ satisfaction with the system. The survey found that many Queensland employers could not distinguish between work experience as part of Vocational Education and Training in Schools and generic work experience. The R & C have provided further information to businesses who participated in the survey. The Victorian employers had a need for information on Work Experience and Work Placement. R and C tailored information from the Victorian Department of Education and Training Website for each business who participated in the survey.
The R&CA has a a cooks Roadshow initiative which has so far travelled to NSW but will be rolled out to other states. The Roadshow has proven very popular with schools who have participated in NSW registering for future presentations. So far around 1450 students have seen the presentation from chefs in the industry.
A teachers page has been developed on the R&C website and there are incentives for teachers to register. This has been promoted particularly in NSW.
For further information please visit the Restaurant and Catering (R & C) website.
The AHA have been promoting the AHA School2Work Program and have developed a variety of strategies to increase the level of awareness of schools and students about vocational education in the hospitality industry.
The AHA have created a variety of student and employer promotional materials, for example a School to work students and employers brochure, pens, and a PowerPoint presentation as a way to capture attention. They have also used real-life demonstrations at Career Fairs, for example a popular cooking demonstration by apprentice chefs.
AHA have found a “one on one” approach to be highly effective in increasing interest in the School2Work program. The AHA direct much effort into briefing teachers on their programme and their industry before they speak to students.
The AHA are developing an innovative School2Work website which will contain sections on new developments, new initiatives, education, training and employment news and case studies. AHA members will be able to lodge new positions from trainees online that students can access. AHA members will also be able to access online resumes provided by students in a secure server environment.
The AHA have distributed information about careers in commercial cookery via an “chefs pack” to 2800 schools across Australia. The packs include a booklet, pamphlet, posters and stickers.
In presentations made to students the AHA detail the employability skills needed in the industry want.
For more information please visit the Australian Hotels Association (AHA) website.
NECA are actively involved in with peak industry groups and have developed policy related to business requirements for the industry. This includes industry skills shortages. They are increasing awareness of opportunities for vocational education in schools through articles in National and State newsletters, industry journals and reports to their National Council.
NECA are promoting vocational education in schools pathways for students interested in their industry. They have developed a website to provide information on careers in the industry (http://www.electrotecfutures.com.au/site/home.cfm).
For more information please visit the National Electrical and Communications (NECA) website.