Careers Corner

There are only two weeks to go before the end of a very busy term.  I hope that everyone is keeping safe and well.

Year 12 are on the countdown to the end of their classes – of course everyone will remain focused and on track to optimise their learning.

I would like to remind everyone to please check their emails.  I am receiving a great deal of information about job vacancies, apprenticeships and traineeships.  I have recently sent emails to Years 10, 11 and 12 with different vacancies and employment opportunities. If you would like some help with any of these applications, please email me.  There are several positions across a wide range of careers.  The information is also available in your respective Career Team OneNote spaces in the Content Library under Apprenticeships and Traineeships. 

If you are interested in an Apprenticeship or Traineeship pathway, make sure that you look at the Careers Links, VERTO and Mid Coast Connect information that is in the OneNote.

There is a New Australian Apprenticeships Website.  The Federal Government has developed a new website to replace the Australian Apprenticeships Pathways site.  The new site is Australian Apprenticeships:

The industry-based literacy and numeracy quizzes are still accessible in this new site.

It has excellent information and practice aptitude tests to see where you would best fit in industry.

Once again, I am reminding Year 12 students that there are several deadlines approaching especially for students who are considering a university pathway next year.

The cut-off for UAC applications at $78 is 30 September.  After this date the cost of registering will rise to $220 so if you are thinking about a university pathway post school and you are in Year 12, please make sure that you have registered before 30 September.  Do not forget to apply for SRS (Schools Recommendation Scheme) as soon as you have registered and check to see if you are eligible for EAS (Educational Advantage Scheme).

Early entry deadlines for many universities are also fast approaching. UNE, Southern Cross, Wollongong, and the Sunshine Coast University all offer these programs so please have a look at these.  Even if it is not your first choice, it can give you some options if you do not get into the course you want.

Charles Sturt University also have more rounds of their Early Entry pathway as the year progresses.  Thanks to those who have let me know that they have received an offer.

I would appreciate any student letting me know when they receive an Early Offer.

It has been very pleasing to have had interviews with many of the Year 12 students.  Please do not hesitate to contact me to arrange a meeting so that we can go through your options.

Several universities are offering one-on-one mentoring sessions (virtually) with students.  The Year 12 students would be able to speak to a university student one-on-one and ask any questions they might have about any aspect of university life.  Please check on each University website.  There are also many Open Days – this is excellent as you can see what university life is like.

Please check out scholarships at the various universities and TAFE.  There are several on offer including a regional TAFE scholarship.  The Teach Rural and CSO Teaching Scholarship are up for grabs so if you are considering a teaching pathway post school, please apply.  You have to be in it to win it and have got nothing to lose by applying.

If you are considering a TAFE pathway, get onto the TAFE NSW website and have a look at the many courses they offer from short courses through to various Certificates and Diplomas and Bachelor Degrees.  You don’t need an ATAR for this pathway.

I am including a link to apply for a scholarship/grant run by the GLEF (Great Lakes Education Fund) which provides funds for anyone who wishes to study post school – TAFE, University or other provider.  If you live in the Great Lakes area you may be eligible.  Go to:

Year 11 students are currently completing their final Preliminary Exams and Tasks.  After this time, some of them may be able to discontinue a subject.  It is very important that if they are considering this, that they talk to their teachers, myself, and Mrs Avery.

During the last week of term, the Construction students in Year 11 will be attending their compulsory Work Placement in various businesses throughout the Manning.  This is the first part (35 hours) of their compulsory 70 Work Placement hours to be completed over the two years of the course.  A huge thank you goes out to the many local businesses who take our students for this very valuable experience.

The Year 10 students have now made their subject selections for 2024 and the process of working out the lines and classes is well under way.  Thanks to Mrs Avery and Ms Posadas for their work on this.

The latest news from the CAA is as follows:

Courses & Workshops for Students

Explore UNSW | Engineering your Future Friday 6 October 9am – 3.30pm, Kensington Campus. Year 10 and Year 11 students with an interest in learning about engineering at UNSW are invited to experience life as an engineering student. Students will have the opportunity to attend two hands-on workshops of their choosing whilst connecting with current students, academics and our esteemed engineering alumni. Register:

Bizfluencers Holiday Workshop Bizfluencers is an exciting school holiday workshop program offered by Western's School of Business, aimed at high school students in Years 9–10. There will be two full-day workshops offered on 25 and 26 September. Limited spots available. Register:

Blueprint Competition The Blueprint Business Idea Competition is designed to help students pursue new business ideas. Through the competition, students will learn to solve a customer problem by conceptualising, building, and marketing a business. Submission deadline: 13 October. Find out more:

Optimize Competition Calling all High School students to participate in Western's School of Computing, Data and Mathematical Science' Optimize competition to showcase their computing and robotic projects for a chance to win $500, medals, and certificates. Find out more:

Ngara Future Focus (Listen, Hear, Think) Year 9 and 10 The Ngara Program promotes academic skills development and capacity through workshops that build confidence and prepare students for senior school and the transition to University. Aboriginal students will prepare for senior study as well as gain study tips and support for HSC subject selection. Application close on 13 October 2023, for more information:

Information Sessions for Students & Parents

Engineers Australia Newcastle | Girls Talk and Discover Engineering Recording GT and DE are informative seminars for students considering Engineering at university. GT aims to inspire girls into Engineering through stories of eminent local female engineers, and features representatives from UoN and TAFE. DE aims to enlighten students on different pathways into Engineering, and features representatives from SCU, UoN and TAFE. The recordings are here:

CQUniversity | Open Day Online Chat Session - Wednesday, 13 September, 3 - 6pm (AEST) CQU's Open Day Online Chat Session is a great chance to discover more about CQU’s broad range of courses, pathways, student support services, scholarships, and anything else regarding future study options. CQU’s expert staff will be online to answer any questions. Register at

Macquarie University is Hosting Arts After Dark | AI Needs Intelligent Humans…or Does It?  Prepare to be propelled into the fascinating world of AI and join leading experts in film, culture and education as they lead a fascinating debate which will affect all. Suitable for future students, parents, teachers and the community. Thursday, 14 September, 5:45 - 8pm. To find out more and register:

Sutherland Shire Apprenticeship / Traineeship & Jobs Expo | Tradies Gymea 12 September 1300apprentice will be exhibiting at the Sutherland Shire Jobs expo on 12 September. Come by and speak with their team to find out about the apprenticeships and traineeships they have on offer. They would love to answer any questions give the opportunity to register for their upcoming 2024 intake. To find out more visit:

University of Sydney | Upcoming In-person and Online Events for Prospective Students Online Open Night, Thursday 14 September | Sydney College of the Arts: Portfolio Evening and 1:1 consultations, 12 September | Webinars on: Architecture and the Built Environment, Education: Teacher personal statements, Chemical Engineering, Day in the life of a Law student, Nutrition and Dietetics. For more information and to register:

1300apprentice Trainee and Apprenticeship intake for 2024 1300apprentice are holding their 2024 apprentice and trainee intake during September / October school holidays. Register on their website and secure an interview. Be on the way in a career with an exceptional employer. Gain valuable employment complimented by a qualification at no personal expense. To find out more visit:

Australian Pacific College | New Adelaide Campus APC's new Adelaide Campus is now open. This campus is in a prime location, situated on a leafy street right in the heart of Australia’s beautiful city of churches. Some of APC’s most popular courses in Business, Management and Marketing are on offer. Find out more and apply today:

Charles Sturt University | Campus Tours Campus tours are a great opportunity to see teaching facilities, student amenities and support services at Charles Sturt. Campus tours are available most working days of the year (including school holidays) and are guided by a current student. They're a great chance to ask questions too. To book:

Scholarships, Early Entry, Alternative Pathways

University of Tasmania Schools Recommendation Program Closing 7 October The Schools Recommendation Program at the University of Tasmania is closing for early offers on the 7 October. Please remind students to apply before this deadline to be considered in the final round of offers. For more information visit the website:

Academy of Interactive Technology Early Entry AIT offers Bachelor Degrees in 2D Animation, 3D Animation, Film, Game Design and IT. For all students in Year 12 who are interested in studying one of these courses and pursuing a creative career, they can apply to our Early Entry scheme today at

Apply to The College at Western Sydney University for Term 3 Students can apply now to start at The College to study in Term 3. The College is the official pathway provider into Western and offers a wide range of academic pathway programs. Explore The College webpage for all the programs offered:

University of Sydney | Admission Pathways and Entry Schemes The Extended Bachelors Program is a dedicated non-ATAR pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to study some of our humanities, science, and health degrees. The Program includes an additional study year and allows Indigenous students to undertake studies in an academically and culturally supported environment. For more information on all admission pathways:

Secure a Creative Future with an Early Offer from JMC Academy Why wait for ATARs to be released? Year 12 students can now apply through JMC’s Early Entry program to secure their conditional offer in the February 2024 intake before they sit their final exams. Diploma and Degrees in Creative Industries. Explore their courses and Early Entry program here:

Job & Work Experience for Students

Australian Pacific College | Work Integrated Learning APC's work-integrated learning programs boost employability skills, aligning students with their desired professions. Work Placement is mandatory for select courses, providing invaluable industry experience. ProjectBase offers students extracurricular involvement in real-world projects. Discover more at:

Thinking of Starting a Career in Building and Construction?  Master Builders can help students become the best apprentice or trainee they be, with entry level skills and safety training before the work starts. Students are placed with a fully screened host employer, paid weekly with allowances and entitlements and provided with a dedicated field officer for mentoring and support. Earn, learn and gain a nationally recognised qualification, have great work-life balance and no student loans. Call Master Builders on 02 8586 3533 or email careers@mbansw.asn.au or go to

There is a White Card course running on 20 September here at St Clare’s.  The cost of this will be $139 and Learning Live will be providing the trainer.  The permission notes have been handed out and we have a couple of students on a waiting list.  I will be organising another course at the end of the year.  In order to complete the White Card course, a student has to have turned 14 by the time the course is run.  If you are thinking about doing this course, you will also need to have a USI number.  This takes about five minutes to complete and has no cost involved. 

Please come and see me if you would like to do Work Experience.  We have had many students doing this over the past nine months and it is an excellent way to introduce yourself to a prospective employer. 

Karen McCann
Careers/VET Adviser