The role of secondary school is to support young people to transition to work and thrive – why are ATARS still front of mind

 

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It is widely acknowledged

  1. the secondary school system’s role is to support young people to successfully transition to work and/or tertiary education and thrive

YET

2. the focus remains on ATARS 

So its fair to say we do not have a fit for purpose secondary school system in Australia 

I recently asked a senior career’s advisor what would success look like for teachers and students for a successful transition to work pathway

This is what they said:

  1. What does success look like for students
  • Students can identify, articulate and apply their skills, strengths and learning styles
  • Students are curious and ambitious to find out more (LMI , Career Exploration e.g. Become Education ) 
  • Students are aware of and talk more about a range of careers beyond the 15  most common occupational expectations (OECD – Dream Jobs)
  • All students have a ‘live’ career plan and goals
  • Students see the benefit in career exploration through work based learning – to confirm career interest or redirect to new career interests/pathways
  • Students are confident in undertaking and engaging with workplace opportunities
  • Students are empowered and become managers of their own career journey
  • All students have multiple opportunities to learn from employers about work and skills that are valued in the workplace (Gatsby Benchmarks)
  • Every student should have had at least one experience of a workplace additional to part time jobs they may have (Gatsby Benchmarks)

2. What does success look like for school staff

  • School staff have the administrative support to coordinate work experience opportunities (SPR process is administratively heavy)
  • School staff have the leadership support to implement career exploration and industry exploration initiatives
  • Industry partnerships with local schools developed and connect with classroom learning (Make learning real, link to curriculum)

Why do you think we don’t have a fit for purpose education system when the solutions have already been identified ?

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