Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from students from regional NSW, participate in a three-day immersive career experience in Sydney. This program connects students with industry professionals and career pathways, designed to inspire them to see how their future careers can make a meaningful impact in their local communities.

Program Overview

Students:

• Discover careers in Technology, Tourism, Aviation, STEM, Infrastructure, and Hospitality through immersive site visits and practical activities
• Engage with the National Indigenous Culinary Institute, Indigenous leaders, community members, and industry professionals to explore culturally relevant career pathways
• Gain insights into skills, qualifications, and pathways for apprenticeships, traineeships, scholarships, and employment
• Connect Sydney-based experiences to regional opportunities, inspiring students to see how their careers can contribute to their local communities.

Watch this space for details about future programs

Contacts:

Career and Workplace Learning, Careers and Pathways Programs careerworkplacelearning@det.nsw.edu.au

Aboriginal Education and Communities Directorate: schoolsandtransitionscorro@det.nsw.edu.au

Workplace learning opportunities for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students

Workplace learning opportunities offer Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students the chance to develop practical skills, explore a variety of career pathways, and gain valuable real-world experience. These experiences support students in building confidence, improving employability, and preparing for life beyond school.

Students:

• Develop practical, hands-on skills
• Gain insight into diverse career options
• Build confidence in the workplace
• Strengthen employability and job readiness
• Connect with professionals and potential mentors
• Experience real-world work environments
• Enhance teamwork, communication, and problem-solving abilities

Industry partners who are interested in supporting or providing workplace learning opportunities for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students are encouraged to contact our team.

Contacts:

Career and Workplace Learning: CareerWorkplaceLearning@det.nsw.edu.au

Aboriginal Education and Communities Directorate: schoolsandtransitionscorro@det.nsw.edu.au

Career and Workplace Learning are collaborating with local councils to provide a structured and supported work experience opportunity for students with disability.

This includes the possibility of students transitioning into School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships, leading to full-time ongoing employment

Many councils have targeted the improvement of the employment of people with disability or have this included in their policy documents.

Mel Risby - People & Culture Officer - Wagga Wagga City Council
The Kids in Council program really aligned to the values of what we were trying to create for our work experience program. The schools would understand that we can specifically take kids with all different types of disabilities or learning issues. We can customise work experience with supervisors that will really look after them in that space. That might look like taster days, where the kids can come and try different things. It could look like doing a week of work experience with us. From the work experience, they then are getting a taste of what it might look like to do a school-based traineeship with us. And from a school-based traineeship, they may even then choose to come into a full time traineeship with us. So the work experience program is really the start of their journey with us. There was 11 students on our taster tour today. We had a fantastic day with them.

Janine McBeath - Job Coach - Willans Hill School
It's opened their eyes to a whole different world. It's been a really supportive, safe environment for the students.

Phoenix - Student - Kooringal High School
The highlight today, possibly the birds as well as probably the brown python, Been a real fun day.

Mel Risby - People & Culture Officer - Wagga Wagga City Council
A few great examples of what's come from this program is Lily and Waylon. Lily has been our success story and she has blown everyone away. Waylon has been doing work experience with us in our Parks and Gardens crew.

Lilly - Student - Kooringal High School
During my experience with the Civic Theatre, I learnt how they spread the word of new shows. As a result of my work experience, I was given the opportunity to apply for a SBAT. Through my SBAT, I was able to complete a customised module course through Australian College of Commerce and Management. When it came to Year 10, I did some work experience with Theatre Royal Sydney, which was so exciting.

Waylon - Student - Kooringal High School
What I love about work experience, I talk to people, meet new people. On a normal day, I clean the fountain and make sure thing’s tidy. The guys that I work with, they help me out.

Stacey Suidgeest - Senior Project Officer - Regional Industry Education Partnerships
The benefit for the council, it gives them exposure to a range of different students. If there was an opportunity later on down the track, they've already got that contact with one another and know what skill level. It's a win-win situation for everyone.

Janine McBeath - Job Coach - Willans Hill School
Quite often, the most difficult part of our job is that when the children are looking to leave the school environment, it's rather terrifying for them. So having specific programs that would help them make that transition from school into work would be amazing.

Waylon - Student - Kooringal High School
Maybe after school, I can get an apprenticeship.

Tahlia - Student - Kooringal High School
After school, I'm thinking about doing hospitality.

Lilly - Student - Kooringal High School
I now know that I want to be in the creative theatre industry, spread awareness of things that are just important to me, and creatively express that.

Stacey Suidgeest - Senior Project Officer - Regional Industry Education Partnerships
Local councils can get involved in the program by either reaching out to their local schools or you can contact your RIEP officer by going online with the New South Wales Department of Education and searching for ‘RIEP’.

Mel Risby - People & Culture Officer - Wagga Wagga City Council
The advice I would give to other councils is absolutely do it. The support is there. It's rewarding not only for you as an organisation but running this program, it reminds you why you do what you do.

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