News Item

ON THE JOB LEARNING BENEFITS STUDENTS

September 27, 2011

A hands-on learning approach to keep young people engaged and building their skills and experience is shaping up to benefit them and the Phillip Island community.

Students undertaking the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) at Community College Gippsland in Cowes have been getting a taste of the real world working with a range of local employers.

VCAL Co-ordinator, Kristy Loenen, said the students were working in areas such as joinery, horticulture, and children’s services.

“Local employers have generously provided work placements for our students which is a great way for them to try a career field, build confidence and experience and demonstrate their potential to an employer.“

Eugene Adam-Smith and Jamie Lee Walton are working with the Phillip Island Nature Parks for their work placement.

Phillip Island Nature Parks Re-Vegetation Officer, Mark Merryfull, said the students were working at various sites across Phillip Island.

“They are getting a first-hand look at what is involved in major re-vegetation works from the ground up – from the nursery where we grow our own native plants to working in the field with our crews to plant and restore.”

Mr Merryfull said the students will be involved in one of the Nature Parks’  biggest re-planting projects on the Summerland Peninsula with some 30,000 shrubs and grasses to be planted over the next six weeks. The area is major habitat for penguins and other native fauna and flora.

Kristy Loenen said Eugene and Jamie-Lee were studying a Certificate II in Horticulture as part of their VCAL and the placement was a great opportunity to put what they have learned into practice.

“Other VCAL students are working with employers in their special interest areas. Luke Marshall Cabinets at Cowes is hosting a student as well as Kids House Early Learning Centre at Cowes.”

“The program aims to be beneficial to both students and employers. Some of the businesses have indicated they are interested in taking on young people as a trainee or apprentice so these placements can be a great way for students and employers to connect.”

“Other VCAL students are working with employers in their special interest areas. Luke Marshall Cabinets at Cowes is hosting a student as well as Kids House at Cowes.

“The program aims to be beneficial to both students and employers. Some of the businesses have indicated they are interested in taking on young people as a trainee or apprentice so these placements can be a great way for students and employers to connect.”

Community College Gippsland has introduced the VCAL program at Cowes for the first time this year. The program aims to increase options for young people aged from 15 - 21 years who left school early and are unemployed, or, who for various reasons are unable to stay in a mainstream school setting.

Students learn in an adult environment with a hands-on practical focus to develop their personal and work related skills.

Ms Loenen said Community College Gippsland hoped to build the VCAL program which is delivered from PICAL in Church Street Cowes.

Phillip Island Nature Parks Re-Vegetation Officer Mark Merryfull and Community College Gippsland VCAL student Eugene Adam-Smith planting cuttings in the Nature Parks Nursery

  

Community College Gippsland VCAL student Eugene Adam-Smith gets first-hand experience in the Phillip Island Nature Parks’ Nursery

For further information contact:

Community College Gippsland
Ph: 5662 6700