Getting a head start

Vocational Education and Training (VET) provides Year 11 and 12 students with the opportunity to gain a Certificate 1 or 2 in the industry of their choice while still at school.

Keith Duran, principal of Young High School, said more than 50% of the senior students were participating in the program this year.

“VET gives our students a head-start,” Mr Duran said.

“They are getting nationally recognised industry qualifications while still completing their formal schooling.

“Making the industry connection early means these students are well prepared when leaving school,” he said.

This week is National Skills Week, used for highlighting the talents and value of apprentices and trainees across Australia to the wider public and employers.

Year 11 Young High School student Glenn Johnson is undertaking a variety of VET subjects.

As part of his VET course, Glen was required to engage in work placement and joined Young based Allied Grain Systems who is a market leader in the Australian grain storage and conveying industry.  

Business owner and founder, John White is proud of his staff and is happy to support local students who have an interest in pursuing a career both locally and in the fabrication industry.

“We regularly have students here doing their work placement,” Mr White said.

“It’s a great way to support local jobs.

“Glen is a great worker and has fitted in perfectly with the team.  

After his work placement Glen has become a paid employee of Allied Grain, fitting in shifts on weekends and during the school holidays.

“It’s been a great experience and one week of working at Allied Grain felt like a whole term at school,” Glen said. 

“The tasks I did at the workplace were similar to the things I learned at school, but when I did more of it in a short space of time, it gave me more experience and I picked up new skills as well,” he said.