This term, Year 10 students explored diverse career pathways through expos, workshops, TAFE programs, and in-class learning designed to support future planning.

Southern Sydney Jobs & Skills Careers Expo 2025: Empowering Future Pathways for Year 10 Students

Year 10 students attended the Southern Sydney Jobs and Skills Careers Expo, joining peers from 18 other high schools across the St George and Sutherland Shire. With over 60 local employers on site, the Expo offered students an excellent opportunity to explore a variety of post-school pathways, including work experience, apprenticeships, traineeships, scholarships, and careers requiring university qualifications.

As our students prepare for work experience in Term 4, this event provided a timely and meaningful platform to connect with industry professionals, ask questions, and gain insights into the skills and qualifications required for future careers. A highlight of the day was an address from The Hon. Steve Whan MP, NSW Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, who encouraged students to be curious, engaged, and proactive in shaping their career journey.

Future Ready: IBM Skills Build STEM Workshop

As part of National Careers Week, our Year 9 and 10 students took part in the Future Ready STEM Workshop, facilitated by Crazy Ideas College (CIC) in partnership with IBM.

Throughout the workshop, students explored how advances in technology, the environment, and society are shaping the world of work. They engaged in discussions about employability skills, creativity, and innovation, ultimately crafting their own ‘Future Ready Plan’—a personal roadmap of their next steps in learning and career development.

Students were also introduced to IBM Skills Build, a digital platform providing access to micro-credentials and resources to build real-world skills. With CIC’s engaging approach and industry connections, students left feeling inspired and better prepared to take control of their future career pathways.

Year 10 HELP Careers Program

Throughout the term, Year 10 students have taken part in a series of structured, informative sessions during HELP lessons, aimed at building their career awareness and decision-making skills. These lessons were aligned with the Australian Blueprint for Career Development, supported by the Career Industry Council of Australia (CICA).

Topics covered included:

• Work Values – Identifying personal work values and how they align with job satisfaction and career choice.

• Career Personality – Exploring how individual personality traits relate to job types, recognising personal strengths, and planning for development.

• ePortfolio Introduction – Learning to construct a digital portfolio that showcases skills, achievements, and personal attributes beyond a traditional résumé.

• My Career Plan – Breaking down long-term career goals into achievable steps, with flexibility for future growth and change.

These lessons are helping students become more informed, confident and adaptable, equipping them with the tools they need to successfully manage their transitions into further education, training or employment.

TAFE YES Course: A Hands-On Introduction to Carpentry and Construction

This term, selected Year 10 students also participated in the TAFE YES course, designed to provide hands-on exposure to the Carpentry and Construction industry. The program introduced students to apprenticeship pathways and included project-based learning tasks, giving them practical experience with tools, Work Health and Safety (WHS) protocols, and transitioning into an adult learning environment.

Students developed valuable skills in career planning, explored post-school training opportunities, and received career counselling to help them navigate next steps in their learning and employment journey. Participation in the course also required adherence to mandatory trade clothing standards, ensuring students experienced real-world expectations in a vocational setting.

Mark Mustapic I Careers Advisor