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How students can use the holiday break to enhance their employability
When recruiting staff, employers are seeking evidence of the skills you have in relation to the requirements of the job. Employers do not expect young people to have lots of work experience. They do; however, expect that prospective employees have made an effort to develop their skills.
So … what skills are employers looking for and how does a 15-year-old student develop these skills?
Employers are looking for general skills that are transferable across any role that you undertake. These skills can be defined in different ways, but they can be broken down into nine categories:
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Project Management
- Financial Literacy
- Technology
- Global Enthusiasm / Citizenship
- Confidence and Agency
- Creativity and Innovation
- Enthusiasm for Ongoing Learning
With the holidays fast approaching, it provides a good opportunity for students to reflect on these employability skills and to identify opportunities for personal development. Take advantage of the longer break to improve your skills or develop a new skill.
Remember: there are many ways to develop your skills (aside from paid employment). Some examples include:
- Volunteer (this can include volunteering at your local sporting club or church)
- Write a blog (about an area of interest)
- Offer to assemble Christmas gifts for family members
- Offer to mow your neighbour’s lawns, wash their car, or walk their dog
- Read!
- Start cooking a weekly meal for your family
- Start a new sport or commit to developing a particular aspect of your game (e.g. cricket – focus on fielding)
- Establish an exercise routine and commit to it (remember: it takes 21 days to form a new habit
- Create a study schedule for 2024
- Learn a new language (there are plenty of online platforms to support this)
- Enrol in a short course (e.g. Responsible Service of Alcohol, Food Preparation).
Opportunities are usually disguised as hard work so most people do not recognise them!
Where to look for jobs
Knowing how employers look for workers increases our chances of finding the right job.
New data from Jobs and Skills Australia shows the three most common recruitment methods are posting online job advertisements, word-of-mouth and social media. What is interesting is that one in seven employers don’t advertise at all. Instead, they use word-of-mouth or hire job seekers who directly approach them.
Here are some useful tips to help you with your job seeking:
- 72% are advertised on company or job search websites
- 29% are promoted by word-of-mouth so tell contacts, school teachers and neighbours you are looking.
- Meeting and talking to employers makes a better impression than simply dropping off your resumé
- Make sure your social media profiles reflect you positively.
Virtual Career Expo (Year 13)
Year 13 is offering a free virtual Expo for students. Launched in 2012, Year 13 is used by more than one million Australians each year. Year 13 aims to support young people to find what it is they are passionate about and turn that passion into and actionable plan for the future.
The virtual expo is available on-demand for three months and will feature information from a range of industry representatives and similarly, university and TAFE providers.
To access the Virtual Career Expo, please visit this link.
Open Days 2023
For Open Day dates, please visit the Casey Grammar Careers Page – Calendar of Events.
VTAC key dates 2023–2024
The Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) is a hub for tertiary course applications in Victoria. VTAC receive, process and forward course applications to universities, TAFEs, and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria (and a few outside Victoria). VTAC also processes special consideration claims through the SEAS application and some scholarship applications. VTAC’s other role is calculating the ATAR for Year 12 students.
VTAC have now released the key dates for the 2023–2024 selection period.
Applications open for courses, SEAS and scholarships |
Monday 31 July |
Timely course applications close |
Thursday 28 September |
SEAS and scholarships applications close |
Friday 6 October |
ATAR and VCE results released |
7:00 am, Monday 12 December |
Change of preference deadline for December offers (domestic and international) |
4:00 pm, Wednesday 13 December |
December offers released (domestic and international). Change of preference deadline to be advised |
Thursday 21 December |
January offers released |
Friday 12 January 2024 |
Swinburne Early Entry Program – open
Swinburne University of Technology offers an Early Entry Program for 2023 courses. The Swinburne Early Entry Program allows current Year 12 students to apply early and receive a conditional (no ATAR) offer to study a Swinburne course.
To apply, visit this link.
Latrobe Aspire Program (Early Entry Program) – open
Latrobe University (Aspire) offers an Early Admissions Program that rewards students for their involvement in leadership or volunteer work in their school and/or community. Successful applicants receive an early conditional offer to La Trobe, so you could know early on if there is a spot for you in your dream course.
To apply, visit this link.
RMIT Early Entry Program – open
RMIT offers an Early Entry Program that rewards experience being a leader, working with different people, showcasing your creativity, or making an impact in the tech world.
To apply, visit this link.
NOTE: Any students applying for an early admissions program are encouraged to speak with Ms Blythman before submitting their application/s.
Save the Date
Information Session for 2023 Year 12 students and their parents/guardians
Monday 24 July 2023 (6:00 pm – 7:00 pm)
Performing Arts Centre
The purpose of this session is to provide detailed information regarding VTAC and the course application process, and similarly to address any questions you might have regarding your child’s transition from Casey Grammar School.
This is an important session and we strongly encourage you to attend with your child.
Information Session for prospective 2024/2025 VET students
Monday 7 August 2023 (6:00 pm – 7:00 pm)
VCE Lecture Theatre
The purpose of this session is to support students and their parents/guardians to gain a better understanding of what VET is and how it is embedded into a Casey Grammar School Year 10/VCE program. We will discuss school expectations, fees, logistics and similarly, provide an overview of the various VET courses available.
This is an important session that you and your child must attend if they are interested in pursuing VET in 2024.
NOTE: Formal invitations will be sent regarding these events, however, I would encourage you to ‘save the date’.
What a Term!
As we near the end of Term 2, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a wonderful break.
It has been a very busy Term 2 from a careers’ perspective (Subject Selection Expo, National Careers Week, Victorian Careers Show, Career Discovery Program, subject selection briefings, one-on-one meetings). I have thoroughly enjoyed my interactions with students and their parents and guardians, and look forward to a productive remainder of 2023.
Term 3 is a big one for our Year 12 students and I am excited to support them as they start to navigate their transition from CGS.
Have an enjoyable break.
Sarah Blythman
Head of Careers and Student Pathways
