[KYLIE MARCHANT] Providing an insight into the future world of work is one way we prepare
students for life beyond school. By connecting and collaborating with partners in the community
schools are able to support 21st century learners to see what's possible and help
them to develop the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about their future.
[MATT BULGER] Kawungan School decided to get involved in the Explore program
mainly to provide a link for kids to link their learning from school into
future learning, training and job opportunities for them. So, to explore how their learning might link
to secondary education, tertiary education and possible jobs beyond that.
The value for Kawungan State School is linking with our community and showing our students
opportunities in their learning beyond school. But also I guess giving them some fun and excitement
to open their eyes to the career opportunities they have both locally and further abroad.
[TRACEY-MADONNA WYLIE] So careers and pathway information
for primary school students is absolutely critical.
We can't be teaching the children too early in their lives how to actually make career decisions because as
we know it's not just in grade 10, grade 12 that they're making these decisions, they're making
them throughout their lives. So I would argue that career development skills are actually critical
for primary school students to be learning because they're important life skills. So not only do they
start the conversation with them while they're in primary school, they set them up for life.
[DARCY] I thought today I would like to become a scientist because they do lots of cool experiments and
they use lots of cool tools. I enjoyed being and exploring the science room and the cool features.
[MIMI] When I finish school I would love to be a professional rugby player and represent NRL.
I have enjoyed the paramedics because they show us what they use to save the lives
and it's just really interesting for me.
[TRACEY JANKOVIC] I think the main thing they'll get out of it
is the different opportunities that are out there. So hopefully they will try to
make links between things that they've seen in the classroom with real life.
[GEORGIA] Well, I've enjoyed learning about paramedics and science experiments.
I think I might want to be a paramedic because
they have a big role in their job and their job seems really fun, what they do, how they travel
around and save people's lives.
[ETHAN] Some of the jobs I like are firefighting, policeman and paramedics
because all of them they save lives and it's like... so fun, it's like you put a lot of effort into it.
[MICHELLE HAY] Partnering with local schools and teachers is integral to the success of this program.
Teachers are often a really integral role model for students and can provide aspiration
and motivation. They can also help us work together collaboratively and and to break down some of
those stereotypes and gender roles that students might see themselves in. It's also the first time
that students sometimes may see themselves on a university or a TAFE campus and we really want
to encourage students in feeling comfortable in that environment.
[MATT WINTER] So career and pathways education
is vitally important in a primary school because what we're able to do is expose students to a wide
range of opportunities and experiences. It also allows us to break down barriers and to begin to
challenge student stereotypes that they may have of themselves or others. So I've always believed
the whole purpose of education is to set students up for their future and by showing them career and
pathways education what we're able to do is guide them in a direction that can hopefully increase
their own engagement and make them excited about schooling and give their schooling a purpose.
[KYLIE] Learning experiences that support students to develop career awareness
prepares them for the challenges and opportunities of their future.