The Department of Education and Training (DET) has launched a pilot program to give public school students more opportunities to build job skills and expand their technology skills.
Announced by Minister for Education, James Merlino, DET’s Head Start Tech Futures pilot is to provide senior secondary students with access to tech-enhanced TAFE courses from Term 4 of this year.
Mr Merlino said the pilot would give students 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,” Mr Merlino said.
“Certificate II in Integrated Technologies has been revised by Swinburne Institute of Technology to include a new traineeship option, allowing students to be employed in the technology field while completing their studies – while Chisholm TAFE has revised Certificate III in Business,” he said.
“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.”
Mr Merlino said two new tech-specific Certificate III courses were also being developed by The Gordon TAFE and Holmesglen TAFE, to be piloted from February.
The Minister said DET’s Head Start Tech Futures pilot would provide opportunities for students to gain employment in subjects like coding, cybersecurity, web development, robotics and telehealth administration.
He said the four new courses would initially be available to students in selected Head Start schools before being rolled out across the State, with potential for uptake by adult learners in the future.
