Making decisions about future careers and pathways can be a challenging time for students.  Delivering a high quality Career Development programs for our students is an important priority for the College.

Across the College Careers Counsellors aim to develop a strong foundation for students in regards to career pathway planning in line with the Victorian Careers Curriculum Framework.

Careers & Pathways
The world of work is rapidly changing, jobs that exist today may not in the future. Many jobs are also yet to be created, and the way work is carried out will appear different in the future. Students will need to consider a range of options when planning and deciding on a potential career. Research also suggests young people are likely to have a variety of different jobs throughout their working lives. Therefore young people are encouraged to be versatile and develop a range of skills that can be adapted and applied to a range of careers. It is still important to have particular areas of interest in order to direct career development. This will provide students with motivation to achieve their career goals, whilst still being flexible enough to handle the requirements of the changing world of work.

The careers program at Copperfield College seeks to assist students to identify their skills and interests; and  help guide their pathway planning by developing their careers knowledge through a variety of activities and experience which will support their pathway choices whilst at school and beyond their secondary education.

Year 9 Careers and Pathways Program

At Copperfield year 9 students begin their four years Careers Program by undertaking the Morrisby online Discovery tool.

  • Morrisby is a personal online discovery tool that will help students to identify their strengths, talents and interests.
  • The results will be published in a book format for each student suggesting pathways and careers that may suit the individual student. Following this process each student will have a thirty minute meeting with a professional Careers Advisor external to our school where they will go through the results in their individual reports. Naturally families are more than welcome to attend these meeting with their child.

Also the our year 9’s will have their Careers Lesson in term 4 where they will use the Career Tools database to complete their ’Career Action Plan’ as directed by the Department of Education. They will also be introduced to various Careers and Career Investigation Tools, they will be informed of what is on offer at Copperfield College and how to best plan their Careers. Most importantly they will get to meet and know our Copperfield College Career Advisors for future assistance.

At Copperfield College students are encouraged to undertake Work Experience in year 10 and of course to obtain a Part time job once they are 15. Assistance is offered with putting together a resume, cover letter and even mock interviews in person or on the pretend phone. Students are all informed of the importance and relevance of Work Experience when working towards their Career path and are encouraged to start looking for a suitable placement in term 3 & 4 of their year 9 studies.

We also offer our year 9 students Industry Immersion Experiences throughout the year. Various industries such as the Accor Hotel Group, the Vic Rail Academy and other businesses offer our students the opportunity to visit and be informed by the professionals in those businesses about all the possible future career paths.  These careers can be anything from a hotel attendant, chef, or manager to a train driver, track repairer, an accountant, an electrician, a lawyer or an engineer just to name a few of the various professions available within these industries.

Year 10 Careers and Pathways Program

Year 10 students will participate in a series of career lessons which have been developed to assist and support their career exploration and pathway planning. Students will undertake/complete:

  • Update their Career Action Plans (CAP)
  • Career investigations relating to their career interest. Identifies information such as work tasks, personal requirements, educational requirements and future trends for particular jobs.
  • Course Counselling Preparation
  • 1:1 Year 10 to 11 Course Counselling

Course Counselling

Having identified their careers interests, students are provided counselling to help them choose a suitable Year 11 program that meets the requirements to enter further education/training and or employment relating to their career interest.

At Year 10, course counselling is provided by the Careers/Pathways staff. Students have the opportunity to choose between Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) and Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL). A wide range of VCE subjects and Vocational Education and Training courses (VETiS) are available for students to choose from.

Work Experience

The year 10 Work experience program at Copperfield College is not compulsory, but highly recommended. This one week opportunity is offered at the start and end of each term.  Students’ experiences in the work force can have many outcomes.  Including:

  • A taste of the WORLD OF WORK
  • Provides insight into different jobs
  • Improves confidence
  • Develops your employability skills
  • Provides contacts and referees

Activities and events which year 10 students have the opportunity to participate in include:

  • Work Experience
  • Try a Trade tasters
  • Industry Immersion events
  • Careers Day @ Senior Campus
  • RMIT Tertiary Experience Day
  • Careers Expos

Parents/Guardians are always welcome to contact the pathways team with any enquires relating to careers and pathways. We are also available to make appointments with, to discuss all things Careers.

Copperfield College Careers Website https://www.copperfieldcollegecareers.com/

Useful website for students & parents to assist with pathway planning, also accessible through compass.

 

Pathways available in the Senior School

There are two certificates available for senior students:

  • The Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE)
  • The Victorian Certificate of Education Vocational Major (VCE VM)

The Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE)

The VCE is designed for students who are interested in pursuing employment in a professional area, e.g. education, nursing, psychology, engineering, architecture etc.  An ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank) is required for entry into most undergraduate study programs offered at most Universities and some TAFE Colleges.

VCE Vocational Major (VM)

The VM is designed for students who want to pursue a vocational course of study. A VM program combines:

  • Study in the following subject areas: Literacy, Numeracy, Personal Development, and Work Related Skills
  • Vocational Education & Training (VET) Cert II/III qualifications
  • Structured Work Placement

The VM is an applied learning program and suits students who like to learn by application and are hands on learners.

VET (Vocational Education & Training) Certificate

Vocational Education and Training (VET) can help students to move ahead in the career of their choice. VET offers students a huge range of opportunities to get the skills and knowledge that will set up for life.  As part of the Brimbank Vet Cluster (BVC) the College offers a wider range of VET programs for our students.  The Brimbank VET Cluster (BVC) is made up of Government, Non-Government and Catholic Schools. The BVC arrangement is founded on a spirit of co-operation and with the purpose of providing a wider breadth of learning opportunities for students. The VET programs aim to engage students in their education and provide them with a formal qualification while they are completing their senior school. Click here for more information about VET

For students who are undertaking VCE study program, VET Certificate is optional and they can also choose further studies at a TAFE, secure an apprenticeship or a traineeship or go on to employment.

Senior students’ Careers Support and Counselling

  • One on one Careers Counselling for students and parents/guardians
  • A range of activities i.e. Careers Expos, Career Action Plans, Career Explore activities
  • Scheduled VTAC information and Registration sessions including one on one support for University Early Access Programs and Special Entry Access programs including support with Special Consideration/ SEAS applications.
  • The students are provided with various resources during their academic years so that they are prepared to make informed decisions about their future pathways and careers
  • Weekly Careers Newsletter for Students and parents/guardians
  • Parent Information Nights for VCE and VCAL students and parents/ guardians

Transitioning to a Post- Secondary Pathways

Whilst there are plenty of pathways to a rewarding career, it is important that both students and parents/ guardians take the time to carefully review careers information provided by the College to make an informed decision in transition from Year 10 and beyond.  The pathways conversations both at home and at school are crucial.

  • One to one student pathway counselling
  • CAPs/Career Investigations
  • VTAC preparation & VTAC Applications
  • Scholarships/SEAS Applications
  • RMIT Tertiary Information session
  • Herald Sun Careers Expo

College Pathways Team:

Bella Moore
Pathways Leader – Careers Advisor/VET Coordinator
Delahey/Kings Park

 Jenny Zahra
Pathways Leader – Careers Advisor
Delahey/Sydenham

Rebecca Libreri
Careers Advisor
Sydenham/Delahey

Kirsten Haack
Careers Advisor
Kings Park/Delahey