ACCESS VET Program
(Alternative Curriculum Combining Employment and Study Skills)
COURSE INFORMATION
The ACCESS Program is an alternate upper school VET course that aims to provide a higher level of support to encourage all students to be successful learners and achieve secondary graduation, employment or TAFE entry. The ACCESS Program has proven to be effective in dramatically improving retention, employment, TAFE entry and graduation rates. All students complete Workplace Learning and/or TAFE courses in their chosen industry area. There are also opportunities within the course for students to be selected for School Based Traineeships,. These can be either in the Public or Private Sectors. Successful students then must complete through their WPL a trial period prior to the signing off of their traineeship. The ACCESS Model has been acknowledged through various forums including: as the winner of the 2004 Dare To Lead Australian Government Achievement Award for Excellence in Indigenous Education and a 2004 Case Study Award for VET for School Students through the Department of Education and Training.
FUTURE PROSPECTS
Through skills and experiences gained during this course students develop Employability Skills that can be applied to a variety of industry areas. The course maximises students’ competitiveness for TAFE placements and employment. Skills & knowledge gained through this course, such as Team Work and Communication Skills, are highly valued by all industry areas. Indigenous students may also apply for university admission through the provisional entry scheme.
ACCESS—AN INTEGRATED APPROACH
The ACCESS curriculum is based on an integrated approach. This means that students work on ‘rich tasks’ that cover the outcomes of several courses. By combining the curriculum in this manner students are able to focus on a fewer number of projects, but each of these demonstrate depth and satisfy numerous aspects of the curriculum. Students also are able to complete several Units of Competency from various training packages.
BENEFITS OF THE COURSE
Provides students the opportunity to:
• Work in a learning environment that is more flexible than conventional classrooms.
• Work with a small group of staff who act as mentors and respond quickly if students develop problems with their studies or attendance.
• Work in a specialized facility that is highly equipped with technology and with staff who will assist students to achieve their best.
• Acquire the relevant skills and confidence for students to embark on their chosen career.
• Gain employability skills, and learn workplace safety and health practices
• Become independent and self-motivated learners PROCEDURE
For further information contact the ACCESS Coordinator on 9294 0130
• First Round Applications must be submitted to the Program Coordinator by Term 3
• Each applicant will be contacted for an interview
• Parents/Guardians are required to attend
ATTENDANCE * PARTICIPATION * WORK /TAFE * GRADUATION
(Alternative Curriculum Combining Employment and Study Skills)
COURSE INFORMATION
The ACCESS Program is an alternate upper school VET course that aims to provide a higher level of support to encourage all students to be successful learners and achieve secondary graduation, employment or TAFE entry. The ACCESS Program has proven to be effective in dramatically improving retention, employment, TAFE entry and graduation rates. All students complete Workplace Learning and/or TAFE courses in their chosen industry area. There are also opportunities within the course for students to be selected for School Based Traineeships,. These can be either in the Public or Private Sectors. Successful students then must complete through their WPL a trial period prior to the signing off of their traineeship. The ACCESS Model has been acknowledged through various forums including: as the winner of the 2004 Dare To Lead Australian Government Achievement Award for Excellence in Indigenous Education and a 2004 Case Study Award for VET for School Students through the Department of Education and Training.
FUTURE PROSPECTS
Through skills and experiences gained during this course students develop Employability Skills that can be applied to a variety of industry areas. The course maximises students’ competitiveness for TAFE placements and employment. Skills & knowledge gained through this course, such as Team Work and Communication Skills, are highly valued by all industry areas. Indigenous students may also apply for university admission through the provisional entry scheme.
ACCESS—AN INTEGRATED APPROACH
The ACCESS curriculum is based on an integrated approach. This means that students work on ‘rich tasks’ that cover the outcomes of several courses. By combining the curriculum in this manner students are able to focus on a fewer number of projects, but each of these demonstrate depth and satisfy numerous aspects of the curriculum. Students also are able to complete several Units of Competency from various training packages.
BENEFITS OF THE COURSE Provides students the opportunity to:
• Work in a learning environment that is more flexible than conventional classrooms.
• Work with a small group of staff who act as mentors and respond quickly if students develop problems with their studies or attendance.
• Work in a specialized facility that is highly equipped with technology and with staff who will assist students to achieve their best.
• Acquire the relevant skills and confidence for students to embark on their chosen career.
• Gain employability skills, and learn workplace safety and health practices
• Become independent and self-motivated learners PROCEDURE
For further information contact the ACCESS Coordinator on 9294 0130
• First Round Applications must be submitted to the Program Coordinator by Term 3
• Each applicant will be contacted for an interview
• Parents/Guardians are required to attend
ATTENDANCE * PARTICIPATION * WORK /TAFE * GRADUATION
