News Item

ON THE JOB LEARNING BENEFITS STUDENTS

November 29, 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 South Gippsland community.

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

Community College Gippsland VCAL Co-ordinator, Kristy Loenen, said the students were working in areas including retail, library services, IT, building and construction, aged care, children’s services and more.

“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.“

Leongatha VCAL student, Todd Brown, is working with Leongatha Automotive Services for his work placement.

“Todd has an interest in pursuing a career in the automotive industry and this placement is a great way for him to build his knowledge, skills and networking as he works towards getting a job.”

Kristy Loenen said work placement opportunities for all young people across south Gippsland and Bass Coast shires had been boosted this year with the appointment of a dedicated Workplace Learning Co-ordinator for the region.

Though funding from the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD), Community College Gippsland appointed Bridget Cornish to act as a central co-ordinator for all learning placements for students in schools, colleges, and tertiary providers in this region.

A data base of employers wishing to participate has been established and Bridget’s role has been to match students with employers to achieve the best outcomes.

By the end of November, the program will have assisted the placement of 100 young people across South Gippsland and Bass Coast shires.

Bridget Cornish said work placements played a large role in building young people’s confidence, skills and job readiness.

“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 employers and young people to connect.”

For more information on the Workplace Learning Coordinator Program phone Bridget on 5662 6700.

Community College Gippsland VCAL student Todd Brown gets hands-on learning from Gordon McPhee at Leongatha Auto Services.

For further information contact:

Community College Gippsland
Phone: 03 5662 6700