13 August 2024
Exciting times for students in NSW!
The Educational Pathways Program (EPP) is an initiative designed to help high school students explore career options and plan their future paths. This program provides personalised support, including career advice, skills assessments, and real-world experiences to help students make informed decisions about their education and career goals. Through this program, eligible students can participate in fee-free pre-apprenticeship and pre-traineeship courses that include hands-on work experience with local employers. With courses across various industries like automotive, hospitality, construction, and more, this initiative not only provides nationally recognised training but also offers a pathway towards a School Based Apprenticeship or Traineeship (SBAT) or even a full apprenticeship or traineeship! Learn more about the Head Start Program here.
In July, My Gateway partnered with Superior Training Centre to provide a successful electrical pre-apprenticeship course to students from the EPP schools in Liverpool. This saw 15 students completing key units of competency essential for their future electrical apprenticeship. We had a massive helping hand from Head of Careers teacher, Joyce Choucair assisting us in ensuring this program took off, crossing the t’s and dotting the i‘s. We cannot thank her enough.
The course is designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world experience, offered students a comprehensive introduction to the electrical field. Over the course of the program, participants were given the opportunity to engage in hands-on learning and industry exposure, significantly enriching their educational journey. A highlight of the course was the series of career immersion days, chaperoned by the My Gateway staff. These days provided students with invaluable insights into the industry, as they visited prominent companies including Kerfoot, Endeavour Energy, Omron, ACS Group, Schneider Electric, and Bunnings Australia Leppington. Omron were able to showcase their wonderful future of robotic technology as well as Schneider-Electric with their future in smart home wiring. The students were able to gain more power tools experience with Bunnings Leppington by creating a wooden shelving box for a local library.
Feedback from the students was overwhelmingly positive. Many praised the practical experiences and industry insights gained during the immersion days. The visit to Endeavour Energy emerged as the standout experience, with students noting the day as the most impactful. The exposure to such a reputable company allowed them to see firsthand the potential career paths and opportunities available in electrotechnology. One student advised he had never completed any electrical work before and stated, “[he] now knows more about safety and the difference between the screws and how they’re used”. Another student advised his favourite part of the whole course had been when “[he] was stripping cables with ACS Group.”
“This program has been an incredible success,” said Konrad, Trainer for Superior Training Centre. “The students have not only acquired critical skills but also gained valuable insights into the industry. The feedback we’ve received reflects the high quality of the course and the effectiveness of our industry partnerships.”
The collaboration between Superior Training Centre, My Gateway, and the participating companies has set a high standard for future programs. As the students continue their journey towards becoming skilled electrical apprentices, the experiences and knowledge gained from this Pre-Apprenticeship course will undoubtedly serve as a solid foundation for their careers.
For more information on upcoming courses and career immersion opportunities, please contact our Project Coordinator, Emma Taylor on 0435 952 794 or via emma.taylor@mygateway.org.au.
