This SBAT pathways podcast series is brought to you by the New South Wales Department of Education. It explores the journey and pathway of high school students who decided to incorporate Vocational Education subjects in their final years at school and the thoughts and insights on making the decision .
We ask questions on how they made their decision and how did they actually incorporate the apprenticeship or the traineeship into their HSC studies, their individual programs, the reason why they chose this pathway. We finish up with their suggestions to other students who are interested in starting their career while still at school and earning some money on the way.
Join us in hearing student insights and thoughts on the role Vocational Education and Training in school play in delivering skills for the workforce and pathways to success.
For further information on NSW School based apprenticeships and traineeships go to: https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/career-and-study-pathways/school-based-apprenticeships-and-traineeships.
This SBAT pathways podcast series is brought to you by the New South Wales Department of Education. It explores the journey and pathway of high school students who decided to incorporate Vocational Education subjects in their final years at school and the thoughts and insights on making the decision .
We ask questions on how they made their decision and how did they actually incorporate the apprenticeship or the traineeship into their HSC studies, their individual programs, the reason why they chose this pathway. We finish up with their suggestions to other students who are interested in starting their career while still at school and earning some money on the way.
Join us in hearing student insights and thoughts on the role Vocational Education and Training in school play in delivering skills for the workforce and pathways to success.
For further information on NSW School based apprenticeships and traineeships go to: https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/career-and-study-pathways/school-based-apprenticeships-and-traineeships.
Chatting with Josh. Josh is currently in year 12 and he's doing a certificate three in joinery as part of his HSC. Hello, Josh. How are you? I'm good. Thanks. How are you? Can you tell me a little bit about yourself and what you're currently doing?
Speaker 2:Um, I'm currently doing my HSC in year 12 and I'm doing a school based apprenticeship, um, a certificate three in joinery. And once I complete my head, just see I'll be a second year apprentice.
Speaker 1:Okay. So when did you make that choice to do a school based apprenticeship?
Speaker 2:Um, at the end of year 10, I had mixed emotions about dropping out or having staying till year 12. So I went to my career advisor and she basically told me about the school-based apprenticeship program.
Speaker 1:I told you about a school-based apprenticeship. So what did you do then?
Speaker 2:I'll have to find a company that was willing to take me on as a school-based apprenticeship and go that one day a week. My, one of my dad's best mates actually was a manager in a company and that will look in front of Dennis at the time. So they were happy to take me on one day a week as a school-based apprentice.
Speaker 1:Oh, that's great. That's fantastic. So you were already 15 when you actually made that decision to go on it that's quite young, isn't it?
Speaker 2:Yeah, it was, um, I had already been working at Macca's prior to that, so I had a little bit the working experience. Um, and I think it was a big step to go into a much more mature environment, being an apprentice, working with a lot more virtual people.
Speaker 1:Yeah. I mean, it's a completely different workspace, isn't it? Um, your apprenticeship is in joinery. Can you talk to me a little bit about what that actually
Speaker 2:Means? It's quite similar to cabinet making. We do shop fit outs, kitchens, bathrooms, just all that type of stuff covered. Yeah. So
Speaker 1:It's working with like wooden board. Yup. Yup. So how do you combine your school and your training and actually when you go into the job, so what's the typical weekly routine and how does it all mixed in together? Yeah,
Speaker 2:So my apprenticeship is done through school, obviously. Um, it canceled HSA, so I did less subjects at school, so it's easier for me to miss that day for work, but I also go to TAFE as well, one day a week, um, school for three days a week. And I went to work one day a week, but in my second year 12, I didn't have to go to test. And so I just went to school for four days a week and I worked on then. Alrighty.
Speaker 1:Yeah. So does that mean that you've got actually all of your, um, coursework or the theory work for first year apprenticeships done in
Speaker 2:The first year in your yep. That's right. Okay.
Speaker 1:Did you have to go to, um, TAFE for your training location outside of the school times? Did you have to go like, you know, when, um, you would normally have been on school holidays or anything like that?
Speaker 2:Uh, yep. So the type of holiday is actually work different to the school holidays. I'm pretty sure. Yeah. Um, yeah, so there was one time where I had to go to TAFE. I want to choose during the holidays. Um, but I was working during the holidays anyway, so it didn't really make a difference.
Speaker 1:Right. So when you talk about that, you know, how you were saying that you worked during the holidays, is that when you sort of make up some of the mandatory or the compulsory where you need to actually do?
Speaker 2:Yeah. Um, I chose to working the holidays. It was going to help me with my hours. I was, I'm pretty sure I was gonna make the hours just working one day a week anyway, but working during the holidays gives me a little taste of what it's like to work full time. And it also gives me more experience, I guess. Yeah.
Speaker 1:I need to get paid to do that extra work. Yeah. Yeah. It's just like I'm with other people when they work during the holidays. Um, so they can make up the money. Um, and you know, eventually. So that was aside for you. Yeah. Right. Okay. So do you actually work, um, as part of your apprenticeship?
Speaker 2:Um, I work on a Tuesday and I go to this, I got to school Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, last year I went to TAFE on Mondays and work Tuesday.
Speaker 1:So what are the subjects did you do for your HSC? And in year 11,
Speaker 2:I did English maths, business studies, SLR, timber, and construction at the study were 11. When I was starting at the apprenticeship, I was told just in case I didn't like the apprenticeship to keep the subjects because my apprenticeship was with units. I could drop a couple of subjects to make my school left a little bit easier. Um, but I was told to keep him for a couple of months at the stock, just in case the apprenticeship didn't work out. And that meant I could go back to school if I was to leave the apprenticeship and still have enough units to finish your 11 to 12.
Speaker 1:Okay. So what did you end up dropping? Cause you obviously loved the apprenticeship. What did you end up?
Speaker 2:Well, because my apprenticeship is timber wood with nuclear hands, like based on wards and timber, I decided to drop timber in construction.
Speaker 1:Okay. Fantastic. And they all counted towards your HSC, um, including your school-based apprenticeship,
Speaker 2:Is that correct? Yeah, that's right.
Speaker 1:Oh, great. Fantastic. So were you always planning on to going onto year 12? Or what was that part? Was that part of what you decided that you want?
Speaker 2:Emily huggy is a high school. I didn't think I would go on to year 12. I just didn't seem like the type of person that wanted to stay for those extra two years. But as you tend come closer, I really just wanting to stick out the last two years and finish year 12. And during those years it was all, it was always a goal for me just to finish year 12 rodeo.
Speaker 1:Why was that? Why did you want to finish year 12?
Speaker 2:There's no real reason. I just wanted it to have the feeling of accomplishment. Like I finished school completely. Like everybody else. Josh,
Speaker 1:You were saying that you career advisor was telling you about school-based apprenticeships. Had you heard about based apprenticeships before you had that conversation?
Speaker 2:Uh, no, it wasn't until I went to have a meeting with her and she informed me about the options I had. And then that's when she told me about the school apprenticeship.
Speaker 1:Oh, that's fantastic. Josh, I wanted to talk to you about, you mentioned that you were already working for a few years before at McDonald's. Um, and that's very typical for high school. Um, people working in either a retail company or a fast food chain and that's fantastic. Um, I know it gives you lots of skills. So you were already earning a little bit of money. So why did you not just stay at school and not do an apprenticeship? Um, you know, so still working in the fast food location and get your job history through there. I mean, how was it different and what was different about working at Mackers and working in the space in your current job?
Speaker 2:I think the biggest difference would be the different levels of maturity in the two workplaces. Mackey's is a great start and teaches you a lot of things, but also the apprenticeship shows you or gives you a taste of what lost, really lacking what what's what's ahead of you in terms of the SS, I feel like macros is a, is a great star and teaches you a lot of things, but also I wanted to have a taste of what life would be like after school and after MCAS.
Speaker 1:So I know that there's quite a number of, um, phosphate companies that do trainees as well as in the retail space. And it sounds like that that's not what you were looking for. You're actually looking for more of a practical skills or, um, maybe working more with your hands. So what's it like going into this? Was it, was it, um, daunting, I think, were you nervous going into it?
Speaker 2:I was pretty nervous at the start, but after the first couple of weeks it was okay. The people I worked with really helpful, um, had very good guidance. Um, and yeah, after the first month or so I really enjoyed it and I get along with all the people there and it was, it was scary at the start, but like I said, after the first month it was fun.
Speaker 1:Right. And what's the, um, place that you're working for? Um, is it a good group of people that you're working with? Do you think two, is it a large place or a small space? What's it like? It's probably
Speaker 2:A medium sized company that there's about people take 50 workers at the factory and I get along with pretty much all of them, so it's great. Oh, that's great. But the company I worked for, they're all pretty good and they all treat all the other, all the other apprentices pretty well as well. So yeah, I think I've got lucky with a good company that treats their furnaces going
Speaker 1:In the workplace. Isn't what you thought it would be like,
Speaker 2:Well, privacy apprentices get treated really poorly. And then I get paid enough, but the company I worked for, they were great. Um, everyone was nice to me and they knew that I was there to learn. So they gave that extra. Um, they gave me extra time and patients, I guess, because I knew I was learning and I also knew I was, I was at a high chance of getting hurt because I was still learning. So they all, they were always giving me an army and making sure I was doing the right thing and being safe in the workplace.
Speaker 1:So Josh, when you went to, um, your training place, your tape that you were speaking of who was in the classroom with you, um, was it just other school-based apprentices or who was in that classroom setting?
Speaker 2:Is anyone going to tie philosophy of being at school? All the apprentices that were in my class were all finished school and iron they're starting their apprenticeship.
Speaker 1:Right. So you were mixed in with other people who were in either their first or their second year and learning those subjects. It wasn't just a specific school-based group of people that were in that classroom. It was all fantastic. Okay. When you took up your apprenticeship, did you leave, did you leave McDonald's or did you still stay working there or how did that all go about? Well,
Speaker 2:Because the apprenticeship was only one day a week. I decided to keep McDonald's and work there in the afternoons on days I had school
Speaker 1:Or your friends working at the McDonald's as well.
Speaker 2:I had, yeah, I had a pretty good friend group that worked at meccas.
Speaker 1:You're able to combine the social aspects, um, of your school. You're still able to work and be with your friends some of the time. And, but you're also then able to concentrate, um, on starting to developing some additional work skills and work towards your apprenticeship as well. And did you ever think at any time, look, this is just not for me. Did you ever think that? No, I don't want to do this.
Speaker 2:There are definitely times when you have good days and bad days, but there are definitely times where you just feel like giving up because you just don't feel like it's for you. And, and you, you think to yourself, is this the right place for me, but then
Speaker 1:So what kept you going? What made you still stay in the apprenticeship and still do it as part of your HSC?
Speaker 2:Well, I just, I just found it I've come this far and I'm pretty close to finishing and it's been a goal of mine to finish. He tall Stefan and keep going in my apprenticeship. Then I want to be able to finish year 12.
Speaker 1:That's great. I mean, that's a fantastic outcome for you. So now you've had a bit of a taste you're at the end of your year 12, you've done what is referred to as equivalent to your first year of apprentices. So are you thinking of continuing on with this apprenticeship or are you thinking, well, that was enough. I've done it now for my HSC, but I'm going to try something else. I've
Speaker 2:Locked the school west component and I locked working full time in two weeks, full time in the holidays. And I've spoken with the managers from the company and they're really happy with the work I've done. And they're happy to take me on as a second year apprentice full-time as of next year.
Speaker 1:So that's fantastic. That will be so exciting. So after, after you finished this apprenticeship, what's the career path in this area? You know, what's your thoughts? Where, where will this take you?
Speaker 2:Well, once I finished my apprenticeship, I'll be able to either branch out and start my own business, or we'll have all the experience to maybe start my own business or I can the compile within the business and go into the managing side of things. So well, as you work your way through your second said, it's finally forced to you. I guess it gives you every time you move on to the next year, it just gives you that extra push to keep going. Cause you know, you're that one step ahead, you know, you're one step closer to finishing. So
Speaker 1:You've talked about, you've got a career pathway, your earning you're working at the same time. I want to ask you some questions in regards to your year 12. And how do you fit this? All in first of all, year 12 became becomes really quite busy. What happens? Do you get time off or are you able to negotiate any, is there any, was there any flexibility in when you did things I'm just thinking about exams, time off stuff that you have to do?
Speaker 2:Um, I've spoken with my boss and he's happy more than happy to give me time off during my exams for extra study and things like that. He's not making me work obviously in between my exams, because that would be such a big distraction because he knows how important, I guess it could be for some people, yeah, NEA doesn't want me to have to worry about going to work and then that could impact my mom.
Speaker 1:Okay. So that communication, it sounds to me is a really important component.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah. 100%. Those are the relationship between me and my employer. And even some of the other managers in the business were very good because I knew that there was no point in me coming to work one day a week for two years, if I was just going to fail my HSC. Great.
Speaker 1:Okay. So it's great. Um, that the employees are feeling exactly the same way as yourself and it's great that they, that you're a high school student and that you've got those competing priorities as well. Can we ask about your caregivers or your parents? Um, how did they feel about the school-based apprenticeship?
Speaker 2:Um, my dad originally wanted me to drop out in 10 because he knew that I was the type of person that was going to go into a trade at the end of school. So he thought, he thought his opinion was why not start at 10 and get that two year headstart. Right. But may I always seen it as a goal to finish year 12. And I also knew myself that I was going to go into a tray and off of me wanted to leave and half of me wanted to stay and finish year 12. Yeah. So that was the one I went to the career advisor and she involves me about the squish apprenticeship program. I think that was the, the happy medium, I guess. Yeah.
Speaker 1:And what about, was there anybody else? Was it just your dad or
Speaker 2:My mom was supportive in all my decisions. Um, she didn't mind whether I stayed or dropped down. She just made me want to see me make my own choice and she wanted to make sure I chose the right choice. Yeah. So it sounds,
Speaker 1:Yeah. So it sounds like you're in a little bit of a dilemma there that you had, some of your parents, your parents were sort of saying, you know, drop out now year 10, you go to a trade, even though that they, you know, what are, what was best for you, but you know, in your mind, and because if this is what you wanted to do, this was your decision. So it sounds to me that you were taking on board what they were saying and you know, we're being respectful, but the reality is that you wanted to do your HSC and you had strength to make those decisions. And that was really, really important. So you were respectful for the people around you and acknowledging that, but this was in some ways, it sounds to me the best of both worlds going and getting the trade. But at the same time, still staying in school and achieving what you want. And you were saying like 15 is really, really young, you know? So if there was anybody that you could give some advice to who's listening into the podcast and they could be in year seven to year 12, or it could be thinking about their subject selection, what would be some of the bias that you'd like to give to them?
Speaker 2:Well, in my case, I would just want it to finish my HSC. That was just a goal of mine, but I also knew that I was going to end up in an apprenticeship if I was to stay to year 12 anyway. So I feel like the school based apprenticeship program is perfect for anyone who is thinking of dropping out of school, but still wants to finish the day 12 and finished. And why not do this? Pause your head, Jesse, and get a head start and in whatever charge you're doing, what, when you finish your tools. So Josh,
Speaker 1:What about the parents? What advice would you give to the parents? I'd
Speaker 2:Advise them for me. It was a very smart option. I'm glad I made the decision to take on the opportunity of becoming an AskPat for me. I was lucky enough to be able to give him the opportunity. And I think it would be very smart choice for anyone considering dropping out, because if they don't like the apprenticeship, they always have the opportunity to go back to school at the start. Um, and if they don't like it, then they can just go on to continue and finish the HSC in year 12. The
Speaker 1:Fact is that we were in finishing up, we were talking about the fact that at the moment you're learning and you're earning at the same time and you're also developing, um, advanced work skills. Um, and those critical skills needed to actually work in an adult environment. And it's not like you're doing work experiences, it's actually a paid work job. So you'd have your own income coming in as well, your own independence, which you know that your parents would love. And, um, you know, I'm obviously making that assumption, but I think everybody wants their own money. Um, so what are your parents' thoughts about, um, the decisions that you made now, Josh? What are they thinking about now?
Speaker 2:Yeah, my parents were very supportive of my decisions and I think they were very proud of me kind of maturing in a way, working in an environment and still enjoy it. And of course earning the money.
Speaker 1:I think that building your maturity, I can definitely hear that Josh and you, and I think your ability to think, to communicate, these are all such critical, important skills that you've got to have. So I'd like to thank you, Josh, for sharing your journey with us. And I'd like to wish you all the best for your future careers and good luck with your HSC, which you're sitting extremely shortly and stay in contact us and let us know how you go.
Speaker 2:Thanks for giving, giving me the opportunity, bringing me onto this podcast. It was great speaking to
Speaker 1:All right. Thank you so much, Josh. And thanks for everybody for joining in as well. I hope you enjoyed the conversation that we have with Josh. If you'd like some more information, you can go to the website batch in new south wales.info or search for the department of education in new south Wales. School-based apprenticeship programs until we meet again, please take care.