A NEW pilot program will give Wimmera students a chance to trial multiple career options through short-term apprenticeships.
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Skillinvest will run the initiative, designed to improve apprenticeship participation and completion rates, and address growing skills shortages across a range of industries.
The organisation will receive a share in a $6.8-million federal government grant for the program, which is due to roll out from July.
School-based apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships will include placements in the engineering, automotive, business services, building and construction, and agricultural industries.
Skillinvest chief executive John Ackland said the program would be offered to secondary students and unemployed young people in the region.
“We have run school-based apprenticeships in the region before, but this is a new concept,” he said.
“In the past, students have only completed an apprenticeship in one trade area.
“In this program, they have the chance to trial three or four careers, and if they don’t like one, it’s not detrimental to them.
“Young people will explore a range of vocation options and make informed career decisions based on their experiences and interests, before signing up for a full apprenticeship.
“For businesses, this means we’ll be able to better identify and match suitable apprentices, helping them to find the best possible fit.”
Mr Ackland said the school-based apprenticeships would be open to students in years 10 and 11, who would participate in a series of work placements one day each week for a year.
He said the full-time pre-apprenticeship program was targeted at school graduates and unemployed youth.
They would complete their three to four placements in six months.
“There will be a certain number of places offered, but it won’t be a problem in our area,” Mr Ackland said.
“The number of places offered will cater for the Wimmera interest.
“The program is due to start in July, but I think it will be more likely to roll out from the start of the next school year.”
Mr Ackland said Skillinvest would partner with interested Wimmera schools and colleges, TAFE providers, youth organisations and businesses in the next few months to recruit people for the pilot program.
