Exciting opportunities that exist for students within our local community

This week Nigel Davenport, CEO of Venture Timaru, ran a session with our staff about the changing nature of the workforce and the many, exciting opportunities that exist for students within our local community. He also challenged us as educators to find opportunities to partner with local industries so that we can provide more contextual, flexible learning for students and expose them to a greater variety of experiences.

I share with you just three slides that stood out for me.

Slide 1

This slide shows the difference between the traditional Career Ladder that existed in the past and the Career Jungle Gym that exists today. This means that students leaving school must be equipped with a wide range of transferable skills that will allow them to adapt to several different jobs in their lifetime. It’s not just about the accumulation of knowledge as in the case of traditional schooling, rather about developing the transferable skills that will allow students to adapt in new settings.

Slide 2

This slide highlights the skills that industries are looking for in school leavers. I would also suggest the same is true for those heading to university.

Slide 3

This final slide refers to the basic life skills that students should learn before they head off to university or the workforce.

This year at Roncalli we have set up the following programmes in an attempt to better prepare students for the Career Jungle Gym they will enter into and to teach the Life Skills they will require beyond school:

• Capabilities Classes for all year 9 and 10 students with a focus on teaching basic skills and competencies

• Learning Advisors for all senior students to serve as mentors and improve communication with home

• Flex day on Wednesdays during term 2 and 3 to give students the opportunity to explore careers, catch up on work, or peruse an interest or passion.

While we are still in the early stages, my vision is to expand our offerings for students so that they are better able to make informed choices for their future and to have the knowledge and skills that will help them adapt to an ever-changing workforce.