As a college providing real pathways for young people in our areas of specialisations, NCAT has continued to excel in its belief and dedication to work placements and employment opportunities though its Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) and Work Experience Program.
Overt 200 NCAT Year 10, 11 & 12 students achieved outstanding outcomes in their work placements in 2024. Students actively sought placement that provided opportunities to deepen their understanding of their chosen field or opted for an experience where they learn if their chosen field “was for them”. In many cases, as you’ll seen in the following case studies, their experiences consolidated students’ future employment directions, allowing them to rest and think about their next steps. In all cases too, it confirmed their pathway and the direction correlation between their studies and their future employment.
It also demonstrated many students’ initiative, willingness to their, genuine excitement about their opportunity with many examples of students showcasing their creativity and ingenuity in difference workplaces.
In exceptional circumstances, many students were offered apprenticeships, future employment after completing Year 12 or holiday employment which they finish their studies.
Thank you so much to all the parents and employers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to offer such rewarding placements, Thank you to all the NCAT staff who took such an active interest in supporting their students.
Heartfelt congratulations to everyone involved!
Viv Sercombe, NCAT Careers Advisor
KAI -10 ARTS
My work experience was very meaningful to me. It gave me just a small taste of what it’s like to develop a portfolio of my own and actually work in the field I’ve been interested in pursuing. Developing my own portfolio was a fun experience, getting tips from Certificate IV / Diploma of Photography Trainer Ali McCann was really helpful during this process. Being given the opportunity to take photos for Battle of the Bands and working with Darebin Council was an exciting experience, and again, gave me the chance to experiment with my photos and combat difficulties as I worked through the night and figured out things that worked best for me.
The Reclink Community Cup was also a great opportunity, even with some mishaps here and there The photos I took were plenty, but great. It was nice working in different environments, spaces, sizes, etc.
I believe these experiences will help me in the future for what I’m wanting to achieve as I continue to capture live photography and other varieties of photographs’ Especially with the connections I have now made as well, it’s a good place to start from.”
JACK – 12 PRE-APP (B&C)
On the 17th of June I went on work placement. and it was my opportunity to prove myself to an employer The two weeks mostly included digging holes with a few days of carpentry work sprinkled in. I felt this was a test of my work ethic. Although it was not pleasant to dig holes, I came to enjoy the company of my coworkers and by the end of the first week, I was excited to go to work and spend time with the good blokes at Alphington Builders. At the end of my placement, I asked if they would put me on as a worker They were surprised because there been very little carpentry, however they liked my work attitude arid have made space for me as a labourer.
I have since started working three days a week learning more about carpentry arid construction. I think the biggest thing I have gained from this experience is that it doesn’t hurt to ask the questiori arid if you are willirig to put in the hard yards people will recognize you for it. In my case I was rewarded with a job and the possibility of an apprenticeship by the end of the year.
EMPLOYER’S REFLECTION
I wasn’t planning on taking another apprentice, but Jack was so impressive (for a 17-year-old) that I have asked him to work part time until he completes his studies, then will reassess.