Career Pathways and Post School Opportunities

Vocational Education & Training (VET)

Students in Year 11 & 12 at Seaford Secondary College have access to a wide range of VET courses. Students will be able to achieve their South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) whilst learning skills and working toward an industry-accredited qualification in line with their career path. Vocational pathways can provide:

• A full nationally recognised and accredited qualification, in areas such as:

• • Animal Studies
  • Gaming & Animation
  • Information Technology
  • Community Services
  • Aged Care
  • Disability
  • Child Care
  • Allied Health/Health Care
  • Horticulture & Landscaping
  • Hairdressing
  • Beauty & Make-Up
  • Construction (Bricklaying, Tiling, Carpentry, Cabinet Making, Demolition, Building)
  • Engineering
  • Electrician
  • Mechanic
  • Plumbing
  • Hospitality
  • Chef
  • Nursing Pathway

• Credits towards Stage 1 and Stage 2 of SACE
• A pre-requisite or pathway into apprenticeships, traineeships, further education or training.
• Direct employment opportunities
• Contribution to Year 12 ATAR score
• Introductions to emerging industries or industries experiencing skills shortages

Seaford Secondary College is a member of the Southern Adelaide and Fleurieu Secondary Schools Alliance (SAFSSA). Students have the opportunity to apply for courses offered in participating SAFSSA schools and would travel to the host school for one day per week to undertake a VET course. These courses are also offered at other Registered Training Organisations such as MADEC, TAFE SA & Norgrove, all of which are located within our region.

To explore what SAFSSA courses are currently being offered, please check here: https://safssa.eschoolsolutions.com.au/default.aspx

For TAFE SA courses (our preferred provider), please refer to their VET Course Guide here: https://www.tafesa.edu.au/apply-enrol/secondary-school-courses

If you would like to know more, please contact Ms Deb Scotton (SACE & VET Pathways Leader) on dl.0641.pathways@schools.sa.edu.au or call the school on 8327 5200.

Work Experience

Work experience aims to provide:

• An understanding of the work environment and what employers expect of their workers,
• An opportunity to explore possible career options,
• Increased self-understanding, maturity, independence and self-confidence,
• Increased motivation to continue study and/or undertake further training,
• A better understanding of how the school curriculum can help prepare young people for work,
• An introduction to workplace recruitment practices,
• Enhanced opportunities for part-time and casual employment,
• The opportunity to include the employer’s work experience evaluation in future job and course applications,
• Opportunities to develop work-related competencies and acquire skills.

Key information:

• Students in Year 10, 11 & 12 can access work experience at any time. It is also compulsory in Year 10, through PLP (Personal Learning Plan), to do one week of work experience.
• Work experience may also be mandatory as part of the VET application process.
• Any student going out for work experience must have first completed the government mandated online work health & safety course called “WorkPro” via Plink.
• It is the responsibility of students, as part of their learning, to research employers and source a work experience placement themselves.
• Students are to collect the Workplace Learning Agreement pack from The Careers Office in S10 once placement has been found
• Students can not access work experience if these forms are not filled out, or handed in at a timely manner to account for processing.
• A member of staff with check with the employer & student during work experience, to ensure both parties are satisfied & supported.
• At the end of the work experience, students need to request that the employer completes the ‘Student Work Experience & Employability Skills Record Book’.

If you would like to know more, please contact Ms Deb Scotton (SACE & VET Pathways Leader) on dl.0641.pathways@schools.sa.edu.au or call the school on 8327 5200.

School-Based Apprenticeships

What is a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship?

A school-based apprenticeship or traineeship is not that different from a regular apprenticeship or traineeship. The difference is that you will attend school, while working and studying as an apprentice or trainee. As a school-based apprentice or trainee, you’ll have an employer who will employ and train you on the job, plus you’ll do some formal training with a training provider to complete a nationally recognised qualification.

Enrolling in a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship has a number of benefits, including:

• Your training will contribute towards your SACE (or equivalent).
• You’ll start your chosen career or trade while you’re still at school.
• You’ll earn money while you learn.
• You’ll get experience in the trade or vocation of your choice.
• Your school-based training will convert to full-time or part-time when you leave school.
• You’ll attend school part of the week, go to work on some days and attend a training provider on others.

The training contract and training plan

Like regular apprentices or trainees, you will need:

• An employer to take you on and give you on-job training.
• A training contract between you and your employer.
• A training plan which lists the formal (off-job) training you will receive from your training provider.

If you are under 18, your parent or guardian will need to sign your training contract. Your school principal will also need to sign your training plan to indicate that your school-based apprenticeship or traineeship is contributing to your SACE.

Who can apply for a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship?

To apply for a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship, you must:

• Be enrolled in SACE or equivalent
• Be in years 10,11 or 12
• Be doing studies which contribute to SACE or equivalent, or a vocational education and training (VET) qualification, or both

What happens when you finish school?

Your school-based apprenticeship or traineeship will become a full-time or part-time apprenticeship or traineeship when you finish school.

How do I get a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship?

Students are required to seek out apprenticeship opportunities themselves, and then the school will provide support with the process.

If you would like to know more, please contact Ms Deb Scotton (SACE & VET Pathways Leader) on dl.0641.pathways@schools.sa.edu.au or call the school on 8327 5200.