For the first time, Vocational Education and Training in Schools (VETiS) students participated in the May Charles Darwin University (CDU) Trade Fair.
The Trade Fair included stalls from CDU’s four practise firms, Crocodylus World, Toll Virtual, Saville on Taminmin and Travel Gateway.
The Saville on Taminmin stall was manned by VETiS students from Taminmin High School who promoted the accommodation specials on offer from their firm.
Students from Palmerston’s Travel Gateway had on offer BBQ lunch cruises, scenic flight packages, Litchfield National Park waterfall tours and afternoon crocodile cruises.
CDU student Patula Adams from the Travel Gateway practice firm said she learns lots of practical skills in that will help prepare her for the workforce.
‘I’ve learned to design brochures and to research products whilst working in the practice firm and I have also learned skills in teamwork,’ said Patula. ‘The practice firm is good fun and a good way to get practical experience as part of my course.’
The practice firm concept at CDU enables students to gain practical work experience in a safe and supportive learning environment. The firms are modelled on existing businesses and students interact with the real-life business throughout the semester in order to simulate the work environment.
Some representatives from the real businesses, including Penni Tasula from Northern Gateway – the business Travel Gateway was modelled on – attended the fair to support the students.
The Trade Fair is an assessable part of students’ Vocational and Technical Education (VTE) and VETiS courses in business or tourism.