COODANUP Community College (CCC) had a date with a ‘speed careering’ event last Thursday, where they were exposed to different occupations.
This is the sixth year CCC has teamed up with The Beacon Foundation, which assists schools in getting community and local business involvement, to host the event.
“[The foundation began] as local communities and businesses noticed students would drop out of school at year 10 and go onto nothing,” senior business engagement manager for Western Australia, Jenny Moutou said.
“By bringing in real life into the schools we can get some authenticity into the classroom and the students realise why education is important in setting themselves up for a career.
“A lot of these kids come from long-term generational unemployment; they may not know someone who even has a job.
“It’s all about interfering with that and changing a community.”
The event aimed at getting the students to realise their work potential and connect them with local businesses with an informal talk about the roles and responsibilities available.
There was also the opportunity and receiving work experience through the event.
“It’s about opening the students’ eyes,” Ms Moutou said.
“We have an aged care station here today which most kids don’t’ even think about as a career choice.
“And there may be a student here who has a particular passion for older people and the ability to care for them.
“But also they may have thought about being a bricklayer for example and want to know what’s actually involved in being a bricklayer.
"So they can talk to a bricklaying company and actually find out."
