Students embrace VET pathway
Schools
Choosing a career can be a daunting prospect but starting vocational education and training (VET) during secondary school is proving popular for students interested in pursuing a trade career.
Students have the option of attending a technical college, signing up to a Flexible Industry Program, or completing Stackable VET (which includes short courses that provide skills for employment).
St Patrick’s Technical College Principal Danny Deptula is particularly passionate about students undertaking vocational training as part of their secondary education, with the opportunity to commence a first career while at school.
“The nature of VET helps kids with career readiness,” Mr Deptula said.
“There are many kids out there and they all learn differently. Using VET through school allows you to go and explore different things. It also provides relevant skills for industry. It’s been developed by industry people who make sure that the curriculum delivered in VET programs is relevant, up to date, and meets current industry standards so it narrows the gap between school and the real world.”
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The Southern Cross spoke to some of South Australia’s VET shining stars about what led to their success, how they juggled study and work commitments, and why they chose the VET pathway.
Ben Oates
Thomas More College
After a school-based apprenticeship, Ben Oates will soon be a qualified chef.
“I thought university was the only pathway possible; until I got into Year 10 and found out there were different options such as VET,” said the 19-year-old.
“I chose this pathway because I just loved cooking.”
Ben caught two buses a morning and worked more than 40 hours a week across four days (in addition to two days of high school a week) to make his culinary dream a reality.
“I managed to juggle and work everything out well throughout the biggest last years of school and graduated with the rest of my cohort,” he said.
“One of the biggest surprises is that the hospitality industry is not just cooking; it’s baking, roasting, and curing. It was so much more diverse than a simple roast at home and it made me love it even more. There’s so much potential and creativity you can bring to the kitchen.”
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Ben was inspired by his mother, nanna, and hospitality teacher’s culinary skills. He currently works for Cultivate Food and Beverage where he oversees one of the kitchens and looks after and helps to train apprentices.
“My hopes for the future are to continue being a chef, whether I start my own business or continue to learn and move through the industry, learning new things along the way.”
Adem Baldacchino,
Western Technical College
When Adem Baldacchino chose to enter the welding industry, he was drawn to the inviting work environment.
“That, and the shortage of trades,” he said.
Adem attended home schooling before secondary school at Mount Carmel College.
“I had the opportunity to undertake work experience at BAE Systems though my VET coordinator at school,” he said.
A Cert II in Plumbing at Western Technical College and a pipe welding apprenticeship at BAE followed.
“I chose a VET pathway as it showed me my opportunities and gave an insight of what the hands-on experiences brings. My hopes for the future are that I can grow within the company and help other apprentices get aboard.”
Isabella Cannell,
Sacred Heart College
Isabella Cannell, 18, was a 2023 graduate and completed a Cert III in Early Childhood Education and Care before studying Bachelor of Education (Secondary) at Flinders Uni, majoring in Physical Education and minoring in Health and Outdoor Education.
She is currently a student tutor at Sacred Heart College’s Marcellin Campus. Isabella’s VET work placement at Seacliff Primary School Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) helped her decide to pursue secondary education.
“I chose to pursue a VET pathway as I heard that students in older years really enjoyed their course, met heaps of new people, and a majority received many new job opportunities,” she said.
“Highlights were meeting new people in a great environment. I really enjoyed my placement and had a great trainer. The workload was definitely my biggest challenge.
“At the start, the workload didn’t seem like much however as the year progressed, we were continually given an increasing number of booklets and tasks to complete. This was an immense challenge however with hard work and determination, it was overcome.”
Kane Materne,
St Patrick’s Technical College
In 2023 Kane Materne won the Murraylands Training and Employment 2023 School Based Apprentice of the Year Award. He is particularly skilled at woodworking. The 2023 graduate commenced a school-based apprenticeship in Year 11 and the third-year apprentice is currently employed by mteSA and hosted by Saxony Building. At 18 years of age, his future is bright.
“I always wanted to be a builder and a VET pathway was the best way to make it a career,” he said.
“Highlights were the amazing and helpful training staff who teach you all the tricks and skills of the trade, as well as the ability to work at your own pace.”
Kane was constantly surprised by the “cool new skills” and tricks learnt along the way.
“I always left enough time for my school studies, which then allowed me to be able to work more often,” he said.
“My hope for the future is being able to build my own home and then later down the track to be able to own and run my own building company.”