Alignment with Firth Report

The "Reimagining Work Experience Program" aligns with several key recommendations from the Firth Report, particularly those focused on enhancing vocational and applied learning pathways, improving school-industry engagement, and ensuring students have access to high-quality vocational education and training (VET). Here is an analysis of how the program addresses these recommendations. For a Work Experience Example for Student Resume please scroll to end of page.

 

A New Vocational and Applied Learning Pathway

• This program provides tailored industry-based activities, addressing the need for a vocational specialisation embedded within the VCE. This aligns with the call for a sequential curriculum and industry-based curriculum for Personal Development Skills and Work-Related Skills units.

 

• This program includes high-quality, industry-based immersion activities, supporting the need for additional support in delivering vocational and applied learning pathways through enhanced quality assurance and professional learning.

 

• By providing enhanced information and guidance about industry pathways, the program supports improved access to professional learning for teachers and students, aligning with the recommendation for better vocational and applied learning information.

 

Senior Secondary Provision

• This program ensures all students have access to high-quality vocational pathways by engaging directly with industries and aligning with priority VET certificates.

 

VET Delivered to School Students

• This program provides high-quality, industry-based learning materials and activities, supporting the recommendation to further develop VCE-VET offerings with high-quality learning materials. 

 

• This program helps overcome student barriers to accessing VET by promoting industry engagement and providing direct industry experiences.

 

School-Industry Engagement

• The program’s place-based approach and direct industry engagement facilitate stronger school-industry partnerships, providing students with increased exposure to real-world work environments and career opportunities. 

 

• By working with local employers and industries, the program supports the Victorian Government's role in creating partnerships that provide students with work-related opportunities.

 

Preparing for Senior Secondary Pathways and Career Education

• This program exposes students to a range of vocational pathways and applied learning experiences, promoting participation in vocational tasters linked to the Victorian Curriculum F–10.

 

• The program supports enhanced career education by providing up-to-date, credible information about local industry pathways and opportunities, helping students map their career-related activities.

 

Senior Secondary Outcomes

• This program contributes to improved post-school transitions by providing meaningful work experience and vocational pathways that increase the likelihood of students engaging in full-time education, training, or employment.

 

• The program's emphasis on detailed, industry-specific learning and feedback mechanisms supports the need for more granular data on student outcomes and engagement with vocational pathways.

 

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Work Experience Example for Student Resumes

 

This entry highlights the program’s alignment with the Firth Report recommendations, showcasing the integration of vocational learning, industry engagement, and practical skills development.

 

Work Experience with The Ready Foundation Position:

Participant, Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy Boot Camp

Dates: September 23 - 26, 2024

 

Responsibilities and Achievements:

• Participated in an intensive 4-day boot camp focused on entrepreneurship and philanthropy.
• Engaged in lectures by industry experts covering key entrepreneurial concepts such as Lean Startup, Zero to One, Start with Why, and The Art of the Start.
• Developed and refined a minimum viable product (MVP) for a social enterprise project.
• Conducted empathy mapping and problem definition exercises using design thinking.
• Created and tested prototypes, receiving feedback from peers and mentors.
• Developed a compelling pitch and presented it to a panel of judges.
• Collaborated with team members to develop a marketing and fundraising strategy.
• Gained hands-on experience in strategic philanthropy and impact measurement.

 

Key Outcomes:

• Successfully raised funds for a philanthropic initiative, demonstrating the application of entrepreneurial skills to social good.
• Enhanced digital literacy, leadership, and project management skills.
• Built confidence in career pathways and post-school options through direct industry engagement.

 

Impact:

• Raised $X,000 for a philanthropic project to be implemented in the following months.
• Gained valuable insights into sector-specific occupations and workplace dynamics.