Moama Anglican Grammar School Year 10 students recently had a fabulous fortnight completing their work experience in various industries.
This year the school has taken a new approach to work experience, giving students an opportunity to complete two weeks instead of the generic one week of work experience.
Students have gained real-life skills from their chosen industry and learned the importance of fostering good relationships with people.
“Normally students only complete one week which means they are limited to one workplace,” PDHPE teacher and careers co-ordinator Curtis Townrow said.
“However, this year we’ve decided to do two weeks which allows students to do multiple places.
“Some were lucky enough to have two weeks at one place, where others are trying to organise two because they have interests in other areas.”
Teachers expertly guided students and helped broaden their career options.
“Work experience is giving students the opportunity to explore potential interests or careers,” Mr Townrow said.
“It can give them a great window into what entails for the job that they could be interested in.
“Some work experiences were organised but then fell through in the past couple of weeks with the floods.”
Year 10 students were given the opportunity to find connections within their businesses and community.
Students investigated a wide variety of professions including teaching, veterinary, hairdressing, fitness, physiotherapy, journalism, retail, real estate, agriculture, aged care, trades, food, childcare, beauty, multimedia and design, and chiropractic care.
“For lucky people, they get a job out of it,” Year 10 co-ordinator and science teacher Amy Lane said.
“There are no expectations for the employer to pay anything although some students have been lucky enough to receive payment.
“We’ve got one student, because I’ve spoken to her mentor today, and she’s done a whole range of things because she’s working in the agriculture industry from pregnancy testing animals, to marking animals, to drafting animals.”
Payment for work experience was reliant on the business each student chose.
“The focus is on the experience, so it’s actually classified as volunteering,” Mr Townrow said.
“If students needed white card training before they went to their business that was done earlier in the year.”
The Year 10 students received widely positive feedback from their employers.
“We did a safety talk before the students went out,” Ms Lane said.
“The school’s been in contact with employers and students know how to get in contact with us if they’ve got any concerns.
“Overall, I think it’s been very positive.”