Across Victoria, many Year 9, 10 and 11 students will currently be going through the process of choosing subjects as they move towards VCE and the conclusion to their secondary education.

Students have many choices but it can often be overwhelming for them to choose subjects when they are not fully aware of what they want to do when they complete their formal education. Often as parents we are not fully aware either of how we can support them through this process. I recall going through this with my own child and not fully understanding what the options were in terms of pathways and opportunities and the impact of subject selection on providing choices for her when she completed year 12.

Many Catholic schools provide subject selection expos so you can go along and discuss the options with the teachers. The students may also be provided with a handbook that outlines subject choices or there may be an information session offered by the school for parents. This is a good way to understand what subjects the school is offering for the students and if your child has any special requests, who to talk with about options for subjects outside of what the school is able to offer and which is the best pathway for your child depending on what they would like to do.

Inner Northern Local Learning and Employment Network (INLLEN) have developed a resource for parents and students to understand their options and to begin planning for their transition to higher education, to work or into an apprenticeship.

The resource provides information about pathways to employment, to working in hospitality with a number of support programs available for students.

Jesuit Social Services, for example, offer a program called Ready, Set, Work to prepare students for entry into the workplace. The Certificate II in Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways prepares students with the foundational skills to enter various fields of the hospitality profession.

Other courses include preparing to enter the retail workforce through a Certificate III in Retail.

The resource provides information for students entering the workforce with a disability with several organisations dedicated to ensuring young people with a disability are able to be equipped with the skills to enter the workforce.

The resource also lists a number of apprenticeship and traineeship providers and pre-education training programs.

For those seeking to move into VCAL pathways, there are a number of alternative school settings who provide courses to prepare students for entry into an apprenticeship, traineeship or further study at TAFE. Check these with your school careers advisor and discuss the best options for your child and their interests.

The guide is very comprehensive and provides further options for students to build their understanding of pathways available to them should they not wish to move on to university straight from school or to assist in their decision making process.

You may also wish to visit the Jobs For Youth website for further information on entry-level employment opportunities for young people.

The Jobs For Youth website provides many more resources for young people to help them to be ready for work. You will find sample cover letters, resumes, interview techniques through the Real Industry Job Interviews program as well as other resources for teachers to use to identify strengths and help prepare students for the workforce. There are useful templates for goal setting that parents can also use with their children to work through what their plans might be for their future career path.

Click here to view a video of students talking about Real Industry Job Interviews program

During this time of subject selection and decision making there can be some uncertainty, but it is helpful to know that there are many useful resources and organisations willing to help young people make the transition from secondary school to work or further study as smooth and easy as possible.

Further resources for parents are available on the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) website and the CSPV website – www.cspv.catholic.edu.au