A head start for secondary students

Kooweerup Secondary College has been selected for the new program. 184176_01

By Kyra Gillespie

Three schools across Casey and Cardinia have been selected for a new State Government program aimed at helping students obtain a apprenticeship or traineeship by the time they finish school.

The Head Start Apprenticeships and Traineeships initiative is set to launch at Kooweerup Secondary College, Pakenham Secondary College and Berwick Secondary College.

Head Start will deliver up to 1,700 new apprenticeships and traineeships at 100 secondary schools across Victoria – giving local students more support to study an apprenticeship or traineeship at school.

The program will allow students stay at school an extra year to finish their VCAL, VCE and their apprenticeships while participating in paid training.

Schools will get additional support and funding to help run the program, which includes a school-based Head Start coordinator to help deliver the initiative, providing employment and vocational pathway advice and one-on-one support to students.

The Victorian Budget 2018/19 provided $49.8 million to deliver Head Start, alongside $109 million to overhaul secondary school career education and $26 million to enhance vocational education in schools.

Head Start will provide apprenticeships targeted at priority industries and traditional trades like construction, defence and health, with enterprise apprenticeships and traineeships to be developed that target high technology areas such as coding.

“The Education State is making sure all students are supported to get a great education, stay in school and learn the skills they need for the future,” Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Daniel Mulino MP said.

“This fantastic initiative will give more students across the state the support and skills they need to succeed in their chosen career and in life.”