Career education modules showcase opportunities across the Greater Whitsunday region
Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3) is leading a regional approach to education, skills, and training with the launch of the For Greater Careers Education Program
The For Greater Careers Education Program is the first of its kind for the Greater Whitsunday region, with a tailored curriculum to be rolled out in classrooms. The focus of the program is on career modules to assist students identify and prepare them for regional career opportunities.
Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3) Chief Executive Officer Ms Kylie Porter said the modules will help high school teachers from year seven to ten support their students through the provision of regionally specific resources.
“GW3 worked with education consultants Future Anything to engage with key stakeholders including teachers, industry representatives and young people to develop a series of hands-on, career modules that are co-designed by the region, for use in classrooms across the Greater Whitsunday.”
Ms Porter said the first module developed is targeting year ten students, while development of modules for years seven, eight and nine is now underway.
“The program will build job readiness for high school students across the Greater Whitsunday region and provide them with accurate information around the types of careers available in a large range of sectors including agriculture, aquaculture, mining and even aerospace.”.
Future Anything Founder Ms Nicole Dyson said current research indicates an average 12- year -old today will have seventeen different jobs over five different careers.
“With over 50% of current jobs being replaced or irrevocably changed due to globalisation and automation, it’s never been more important to provide young people with a clear understanding of the ‘future of work’ and how to navigate a ‘future proofed’ pathway to industry.”
Ms Dyson said this program is different as its research backed by regional data and is broken down into four phases of learning, the modules will enable students to understand the ‘future of work’ before they imagine real world pathways opportunities in region.
“From here, using the For Greater Careers Education Program students will map their future with tangible links to training and education opportunities in region, before making their career decision with a focus on action through work experience.”
Ms Dyson believes the For Greater Careers Education Program will support teachers, and schools by building resources to bring transformational change to the ‘careers education’ space in the Greater Whitsunday region.
“Quite simply, young people can’t be what they can’t see.
“This will, no doubt, see more young people getting employed faster- especially in their chosen fields, greater engagement of young people in industry in region- particularly in emerging fields, and a closing the skill gap between education and industry.
This project is part of the Mackay Regional Jobs Committee action plan. The Mackay Regional Jobs Committee is proudly supported and funded by the Queensland Government.
For more information about obtaining the free career education program or to register your school’s interest, please contact, GW3 Education, Skills and Training Project Coordinator Sherry Smith at sherry@gw3.com.au.
Greater Whitsunday Alliance is the region’s peak, independent economic development body committed to making the Mackay, Isaac, Whitsunday region strong for generations.
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