Innovative project giving students confidence and employability skills

Students from Phoenix West Vocational College are gaining confidence and learning about the workplace thanks to an innovative Structured Workplace Learning project in Geraldton.

The project focuses on providing these students, aged 14 to 16 years, with a better understanding of employability skills, and real life experiences in the work place, which none of them had experienced prior to this.

At the outset of the project, students received information about Structured Workplace Learning and the benefits of participating. They then attended a preparation for work program—developed and delivered by the Geraldton Regional Community Education Centre Local Community Partnership—for two hours a week over two terms.

Prior to placing the students, the Local Community Partnership recognised the need to choose placements that would provide the most supportive environments. As a result they contacted the business arm of the Wila Gutharra Community Aboriginal Corporation. This partnership with Wila Gutharra led to students having a range of options including vehicle mechanics, tyre repairs, panel beating, furniture upholstery, bush furniture, art and child care.

Industry visits and orientation tours of local business were also conducted prior to the placements. These were successful and helped to reduce the level of anxiety students felt in the lead up to their placements.

The school also provided financial assistance to the students to purchase clothes. This was an important component, and helped to raise the students’ confidence by ensuring they were appropriately dressed for their placements.

The female students chose Spalding Park Child Care Centre for their placement, and Sam went to Midwest Formwork Contractors.

The girls started with an hour a week. As their confidence grew, the hour was extended to almost half a day a week. All the girls agreed with Shantelle’s comment, ‘I felt shame when I started, but felt happy when I left’. Rickesha added, ‘It was really hard when you walk in and all the kids stare, but it was great at play time because they came up to me and asked for help with painting and reading’. Kylie enjoys the experience and said, ‘It was wicked cos it’s fun being with all the kids, and they trust us’.

The child care supervisor has valued their participation. ‘It’s a privilege to be a part of a process that gives young people the opportunity to be involved in working within the community and experiencing day-to-day achievement in their chosen field.’

Sam admits he was nervous when he started, ‘but it got easier and it’s really fun to learn hands-on skills rather then just being in the classroom’. His manager, Jeff, said, ‘I enjoy having Sam for work experience. It helps us and it helps Sam to build skills that might lead to a job which is great for the community’.

As part of the placements, the students are required to complete a work manual and logbook, which also provides them with an opportunity to record information about the personal qualities and attributes admired by employers.

The Local Community Partnership continues to provide a mentoring role for these placements. When this is not possible, it ensures that someone from the school does. The college is an independent school that helps young people aged 10–16 years who are disengaged from mainstream school. It works toward achieving functional numeracy and literacy skills, healthy socialisation and developing a work ethic.