On the Job with Vocational Education Training (VET) at St Paul’s.
Vocational Education at St Paul’s is thriving. Hospitality, Construction, Retail Studies and IT classes are filled with enthusiastic students.
Vocational Education Coordinator, Mrs Catherine Winter says Vocational Education “allows the boys’ the opportunity to experience industry first hand. They must deal with real life situations which occur in the workplace. Students also learn skills that are recognised by industry”.
“Hospitality employers were extremely impressed, particularly with those boys who demonstrated initiative and enthusiasm and the will to learn. Our Hospitality students also can demonstrate what they learn during their workplacement at the College’s new parent's cocktail evening, open night and various other catered events held at St Paul's” Mrs Winter added.
Construction students go for workplacement to a range of Northern Beaches landscape and building companies. Students play a part in all kinds of work including excavation, framework, formwork, painting, site housekeeping, concreting, landscaping. They are regularly offered apprenticeships on completion of workplacement which is a credit to them.
Construction teacher Mr Paul MacGee says “at St Paul’s students have been involved with building retaining walls, pouring concrete slabs (to produce cricket nets and driveways), and created a garbage bin holding facility. They are doing work which otherwise would be completed by paid professional builders which is great”.
Matt Dossetor (Ex Student) has continued working for the employer he visited in Year 11 and as a consequence plans to complete an apprenticeship this year “ I enjoy working outdoors. I like being ‘hands on’. An office environment wouldn’t suit me. I’m happy that I know what I want to do when I finish high school”.
Pictured: Several St Paul's Year 12 Constuction Students working on site on our back ovals preparing areas for the pouring of concrete slabs.
