Valuable Week Of Work Experience For Local Students

Year 10 students from St Patrick’s College Mackay recently spent a productive week exploring their career goals and interests through Work Experience.  

With the guidance of the College’s Careers & VET Head of Department Cherie Hess and Teacher Assistant Vikki McGrath, some 249 students secured placements in an array of occupations with the diversity of the locations demonstrating the variety of students’ career interests.

Placements were found locally and in the wider community with some students travelling as far as Brisbane, Sarina, Hay Point, Eton, Mirani, Leap, Dumbleton and Seaforth and were processed by the local KP Placement Agency.

“Work experience is a valuable opportunity for Year 10 students to gain insight into the world of work and understand the expectations of the workplace,” said Mrs Hess.  

“It gives students an opportunity to explore connections between their school studies and career pathways, while also assisting them to become more aware of the realities of the workplace and to develop skills, knowledge, and experience that will benefit them in their future careers” she added.

The St Patrick’s students spent time experiencing workplaces including trades, tugboat operators, daycare centres, outdoor activity camps, hair salons, law firm, optometrist, pharmacies, fitness centres, allied health, real estate agents, vets, dance teachers, diesel fitters, builders and many more varied forms of employment.  

As a result of seeking Work Experience places, four students – Billy Cruden (HPHFM); Elliott Hamilton (Mac’s Engineering) and Zed Stickland (Ryan Scott Building) have been offered school-based apprenticeships while Rebekah Papavasiliou was offered a part-time administrative position at the Mackay electorate office of Dawson MP Andrew Wilcox.          

One female student will be completing her Work Experience in Week 10 from March 28-30 at the Army Aviation Familiarisation program with Defence at the Swartz Barracks in south-east Queensland.                                                                                              

Fifty students completed their Construction White Card.

“Each student was contacted by a staff member in person to speak to both the employer and student to ascertain how the student was coping in the world of work, “ said Mrs McGrath.

“Students also completed a log book as a way of reflecting on their Work Experience and employers completed an assessment of the student” she added.

The College received positive feedback from employers who commended the students on their work ethic, punctuality and people skills with many bosses keen to obtain their services on a permanent basis.

“We would like to thank each employer for the valuable contribution to students’ career planning and research provided through work experience,” said St Patrick’s College Principal Janelle Agius.

“Our Year 10 students are to be commended for their initiative to seek out Work Experience in these challenging times and the Careers Team hopes they have enjoyed and benefited from their week,” Mrs Agius added.

By Chris Karas

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St Patrick’s College Year 10 student Gabrielle Roberts (left) completed work experience at the Peak Family Chiropractic in West Mackay

St Patrick’s College Year 10 student Billy Cruden (left) with Heath Paton Hair For Men (HPHFM) barber shop owner Heath Paton. Photos supplied

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