Students at five local high schools are being encouraged to explore exciting career opportunities through the expansion of the successful Educational Pathways Program.
Upper Hunter MP Dave Layzell said the initiative aimed to improve education and career pathways for pupils by connecting them to real-world skills, training and experience.
“This program is a real win for students at Dungog, Singleton, Muswellbrook and Quirindi high schools and Merriwa Central School, which will help to broker relationships between schools, local employers and industries,” he explained.
“Expanding the initiative means more opportunities for pupils to develop the skills and experience that will help them make informed decisions about their career and further education.
“Students will be provided with the training needed to prepare them for jobs that are aligned with industry demand including healthcare, hospitality, IT and manufacturing.”
Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said the NSW Government would invest $16.5 million to expand the program six-fold across the state, hiring specialist teachers to work with careers advisers to create more engaging opportunities for youngsters.
“The Educational Pathways Program is designed to improve education and career outcomes by introducing NSW public high school pupils to a range of post-school training and employment pathways,” she stated.
Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens said the program had already introduced hundreds of students to different training and career pathways.
“As part of the initiative, we’ll be giving students the opportunity to undertake fee-free apprenticeships and pre-traineeships so they can ‘test-drive’ different vocational education and training options,” he added.
For more information, visit www.education.nsw.gov.au/educational-pathways-program
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