Year 10 students entering Centralian Senior Secondary College (CSSC) next year will be able to sample different VTE (Vocational and Technical Education) courses offered by Charles Darwin University’s Alice Springs Campus.
The arrangement already exists for year 11 and 12 college students who can select vocational subjects as part of their curriculum. Year 10 students will join the campus for the first time in 2007 as part of the NT Government’s revised approach to senior schooling.
The college and CDU co-developed the program to help year 10 students understand the variety of VTE courses on offer in preparation for course selection in their final years.
VTE subjects are a popular choice for the college students wanting a balance of vocational and academic studies.
CDU’s senior VTE advisor Lyle Mellors said CDU worked closely with the college and had identified a need for students to experience a course before making a commitment.
‘It’s all about empowering the students and helping them gain confidence in the career directions they take,’ he said.
CSSC assistant principal Eddie Fabijan approached CDU early in 2006, with the University responding with a program that exposes students to broad vocational areas.
The students will be exposed to six vocational groups, each with three specific industry programs. By years end the students will rotate through 18 industry skills programs covering subjects from welding and child care through to horticulture.
Students can then enter year 11 with a nationally recognised accreditation transportable to the full time VETiS (VET in Schools) program already running at the campus.
Lyle said he looks forward to more students taking up VTEiS via CDU.
‘The college and CDU work very closely to provide students with exposure that in the end will help them chose careers relevant to their interests, skills and ambitions,’ he said.