AROUND 200 Year 9 students from across the Southern Grampians were given the opportunity over the past two weeks to test their career aspirations with the Vocational Education and Training Delivered to Secondary Schools (VETDSS) Taster Days.

Students from Monivae College, Baimbridge College, Good Shepherd College, The Hamilton and Alexandra College, Casterton Secondary College, Balmoral K-12 Community College, and Heywood and District Secondary College participated in the sessions over the past two Tuesdays.

Students were exposed to the real settings of each vocation and gained hands-on experience to hopefully ignite interest in the various offerings that can lead their future career pathways, in preparation for the 2025 subject selection.

The Glenelg and Southern Grampians Local Learning Employment Network (GSGLLEN) partnered with SWTAFE, Hamilton and Districts Skills Centre (HDSC), Baimbridge College and Monivae College to give all Year 9 students an opportunity to attend a Vocational Taster Day and have exposure to industry training courses. Options included sessions on Early Childhood Studies, Agriculture, Health and Community Services and Visual Arts at SWTAFE; Engineering at Monivae College; Sport Coaching and Music at Baimbridge College; and Cookery, Building and Construction, Automotive, Salon Assistant, Creative Industries and Applied Digital Technology at HDSC.

VET Delivered to Secondary Students (VDSS) allows young people in secondary school to gain practical skills in a particular industry setting whilst completing their senior secondary education.

Undertaking a VET whilst at school enables students to experience a mix of general and vocational education and make a start on their career pathway before leaving school.

Starting in Year 10 with a VETDSS course means students can have a head start on their pathway and don’t have to wait to finish secondary school to make a start on their career training.

GSGLLEN executive officer, Anne Murphy, said the Taster Days have been a great opportunity for Year 9 students to grasp personal interests within their education.

“Young people in the Southern Grampians are fortunate to have so many quality vocational training options available,” she said.

“The partnership between all of the providers has supported students planning their next steps in their career journeys, with an opportunity to test and trial vocational training locally.

“Thanks to all involved in such a quality program”

For further information on VETDSS training options in Southern Grampians please contact SWTAFE at learn@swtafe.edu.au, HDSC at admin@hdsc.net.au or GSGLLEN School to Work broker, Janelle Tooley at janelle@gsgllen.org.au