A HIGH-TECH HEAD START FOR SECONDARY STUDENTS
The Victorian Government is giving senior secondary students more opportunities to expand their technology skills and build the skills they need for in-demand jobs of the future.
Member for Melton Steve McGhie today announced that government secondary school students will have access to tech-enhanced TAFE courses from Term 4 as part of the Head Start Tech Futures pilot, giving them the chance to develop their skills with on-the-job training while completing their VCE or VCAL.
The new and improved curriculum is part of the Head Start School Based Apprenticeship and Traineeship program, making sure students can get quality, industry-endorsed qualifications that meet the emerging needs of workplaces – and ultimately providing employers with committed and skilled trainees.
The Government has invested $4.7 million over four years to deliver the project, which has seen two existing courses modified to incorporate additional digital and technology skills.
Certificate II in Integrated Technologies has been revised by Swinburne University to include a new traineeship option, allowing students to be employed in the technology field while completing their studies – while Chisholm Institute of TAFE has revised Certificate III in Business.
Students from Hallam Secondary College will be among the first to pilot the Certificate II in Integrated Technologies, while the Certificate III in Business has seen enrolments across a number of schools, including Warragul Regional College.
Two new tech-specific Certificate III courses are also being developed by the Gordon Institute of TAFE and Holmesglen Institute of TAFE, to be piloted from Term One, 2022.
The four courses will initially be available to students in selected Head Start schools as part of the pilot before being rolled out across the state, with potential for uptake by adult learners in future – allowing students to gain employment in subjects like coding, cybersecurity, web development, robotics and telehealth administration.
The Head Start Tech Futures qualifications complement the Government’s senior secondary reforms following the Firth Review into vocational pathways for students – which recommended more action be taken to make vocational and applied learning in schools high-quality, relevant to the needs of employers, and available to all students.
The reforms include the move to a single senior secondary certificate incorporating VCAL into VCE and will support more students to graduate with the skills they need for Victoria’s growing industries.
For more information, visit www.education.vic.gov.au/headstart.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino
“We are proud to be getting Victorian students ready for the jobs of the future, making sure they have the opportunity at school to develop the skills that employers will really value in years to come.”
Quote attributable to Member for Melton Steve McGhie
“Head Start is providing high-quality training and apprenticeship pathways for students, including those in Melton Secondary College, Kurunjang Secondary College, Staughton College, and Bacchus Marsh Secondary College - providing industry with enthusiastic and dedicated employees who will become their workforce of tomorrow.”
