Pathways and Applied Learning

From the Director of Pathways and Applied Learning, Mr Damian Kinnersly

Celebrating 2021 in Vocational Pathways

Once again we have faced a year that has been punctuated by Covid-19 lockdowns and restrictions on the applied learning settings. The Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) and Vocational Education and Training (VET) programs were restricted in the face-to-face contact hours, reducing the opportunity for students to learn, practice and re-enforce the skills and knowledge required for their respective fields of future employment. Students undertaking School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SBATs) and Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) opportunities were faced with new workplace safety protocols which, in many cases, restricted the opportunities to work. The impact of reduced employees on worksites meant that some students unfortunately were unable to continue with their SBAT or SWL, which once again meant that new opportunities had to be sought.

The resilience students have demonstrated in ever changing circumstances has been impressive to staff and industry representatives. In the coming weeks St Patrick’s College will have the opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the academic achievements of students who undertook VCE studies. It is timely now to publicly congratulate and celebrate the large number of now St Patrick’s College Old Collegians who have left the College during 2021 to enter employment or entering into Tertiary (TAFE) training. These young men are living ambassadors of our College, and those who have gone before them have made students from St Patrick’s College highly sought after for apprenticeships.

Thank you to all the staff who have nurtured these young men during their educational journey at SPC. The ability to set standards and work to meet expectations, developing communication skills and the value of being part of a community are often the attributes that are immeasurable but valued highly. The growth of these young men in these areas can be directly contributed to their successful transition to employment. A final thank you and congratulations to all the parents of these young men, whose constant support, love and guidance has helped see their son move into the next phase of their lives.

Kaeden Bowes-Evans Frazer Carnes Bailey Cody Xavier Connell Max Cowling Kyan Dean Tyler Doherty Bailey Gatt Thomas Gilbert Rory Harrison Jacob Huber

Angus Keating Joshua Keddie Isaac Kirby Jacob Lawrie William McKechnie Joel McKenzie Elliott Missen Logan Moffat Liam O’Neill Jahli Pearce

Blake Pollock Logan Porter Deegan Prestwood Corey Rapa Corey Rowe Reilly Sandlant Adrian Sekimpi Lachlan Spiteri Riley Tuddenham Hamish Wilken

 

VCAL in 2021

Throughout 2021 the VCAL staff have constantly adapted to the challenges faced in the interrupted delivery of the certificate. Tank you to the VCAL Coordinator, MS Lynda Wright-Coles, in leading the curriculum development and the support of Mr Brendan Dix, Mr Shane Armstrong, Mr Michael Weadon and Ms Janine Clements in the delivery of this program.

Congratulations to the follow students who have achieved their VCAL certificates;

Senior VCAL	Intermediate VCAL
Ayden Ciappara Joshua Conduit Escher Eastcott Hayden Nash Riley Tuddenham Liam Wright	Jesse Holloway Reef Hughes-Beacham Darcy Keating Xavier Lewis Thomas Mitchell Samuel Quinn

 

Highland VET Cluster programs for 2022

Students who have applied for 1^st year external vocational programs for 2022 will have received confirmation of offers from the Highlands LLEN VET cluster. Orientation programs for those conducted by Federation University will take place in the first class of 2022. Students involved in programs conducted by other RTOs will be contacted directly regarding the orientation process in the coming week.

Classes for the external programs begin in 2022 on the following dates:

1^st Year programs begin on Thursday, 3 February

2^nd Year programs begin on Tuesday, 8 February

 

School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SBAT)

It is anticipated that some students in Years 11 and 12 may seek to secure a SBAT for 2021 over the summer period. A SBAT will be incorporated into a student’s VCE program from 2022 and as such students must be able to balance their school requirements with those of their employment.

Students who may secure a SBAT must communicate this directly with the Director of Pathways and Applied Learning, Mr Damian Kinnersly, and the Director of Administration, Mr Tom Ferguson, as soon as possible so their arrangements and timetable/subject changes can be facilitated.

Program confirmations – dkinnersly@stpats.vic.edu.au

Timetable/subject changes – tferguson@stpats.vic.edu.au

 

Directions on mandatory COVID-19 vaccination and requirements for Structured Workplace Learning and work experience

Victoria’s Chief Health Officer has issued directions on mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for authorised workers, residential aged care workers, construction workers, healthcare workers, and school and early childhood staff. These directions also apply to students undertaking Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) and work experience (WE) at places that are the subject of these directions or when undertaking work experience outside of the home in industries or occupations that are the subject of these directions.

A list of authorised workers covered by the directions on mandatory COVID-19 vaccination is available at Information for industry and workers required to be vaccinated.

From 15 October 2021, any student undertaking SWL or work experience placements outside their ordinary place of residence in an industry that requires vaccination will be required to provide evidence to their employer that they:

• are fully vaccinated with two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, or
• have a valid medical exemption.

Where mandatory vaccination directions apply and a student undertaking SWL or work experience refuses to provide evidence of vaccination or satisfactory evidence of a valid exemption, their employer cannot allow them to enter the premises for the purpose of performing work / completing their placement.

Additionally, an employer can request that a student voluntarily provides vaccination information, even where there are no directions requiring this. In these circumstances, it is up to the student to make a decision as to whether they wish to disclose information about their COVID-19 vaccination status to their employer.

If a student refuses to disclose their vaccination information to an employer and the employer is not comfortable with the placement proceeding on that basis, then the employer may choose not to proceed with the placement.

Please be aware that SWL and work experience placements cannot take place between December 15, 2021 and January 18, 2022. For further assistance in arranging a SWL or work experience, please contact the Careers & Transition Manager, Mr Anthony Meehan – ameehan@stpats.vic.edu.au