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.
Today, we're speaking with Chilena court. Tulane is actually going into year 12 at the moment for her HSC and she's studying as part of her HSC I school-based apprenticeship program certificate three automotive mobile planet technology. This industry area is male dominated. So I wanted to ask Halena about how she made that decision, why she made that decision and her thoughts and insights into where this could take her Tulane has got some great ideas and she's really, really Corinne focused. So please join me in welcoming to Lena. Hi Talena how are you? Good, thanks.
Speaker 2:So Talena I wanted to just probably introduce you first of all, or maybe you could introduce yourself in regards to just telling us a little bit about, um, what you're currently doing. Yep. So I'm a school based apprentice studying a cert three in mobile plant technology. I'm also 11 currently going on to year 12. Okay. So can you just talk to us about what your certificate involves? What's your apprenticeship do? Yep. So my role plant technology, uh, best way to describe it. It's pretty much, we are heavy vehicle mechanics that focus on hydraulic systems. So, um, personally I work for a company in the greater Western Sydney and we work on, uh, boom lifts, scissor lifts, and telehandlers, as well as vertical Leafs. And when you get all services and that sort of thing, making sure they keep going, uh, out on job sites, not okay. All right. So you started the apprenticeship this year. How did you get into it? How did it all come about? Yeah, so last year in year 10, I did a week of work experience with this company and my employer was impressed with the hours working and the mechanics were impressed. The I was working, they just asked if I wanted to do a school-based apprenticeship. And I just brought forth the question to my career advisor and it just went off from there and they knew about school-based supremacy. Yep. Yep. Cool. Had you heard about them before? No, never. I didn't ever know. That was a thing. How does that work in with your year 11 and year 12 program, then the course that I'm doing with TAFE and doing all the work that I do one says during my week that CAS is two units towards my, uh, hydro say. So it's one of the subjects that you're studying for your HSC. So how do you combine the school with work with training? How does that all happen? Most of it just comes down to being able to manage your time and being really responsible and independent with what you do and how you do it. Just all comes down to hard work. So it's not like an undue pressure. It's just forms part of what would be normal school curriculum. Yeah. What you do to, how does it tell me about a typical week? You know, do you, when do you go to work? When do you go to study? When do you go to school? You know, how does that all happen? So I go to school on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, and then Wednesday, all it tends to work. So I'll go to work as like a normal working day. So I'll start at seven and then I'll finish at four or three 30, depending on the day. But with TAFE, um, I do a thing called block release. So I take one week of the term and then that whole week I'll be spending at TAFE. And is that for, um, both year 11 and year two. Cool. So in year 11, that's the whole format for this year. Um, and I'll finish that to the end of the year, but because of the block relay self gone through first year Prentice, um, training, like pretty quickly compared to other apprentices. So are you 12, I'll be able to focus completely on the agency because I won't have to do first year apprentice training, nothing. Yeah. Which is really helpful. And, um, the difference is other apprentices who are doing school based apprenticeships, they will have to do, uh, usually like a day awake or they'll do an afternoon to get through it. And because of this blocker lice, I've been able to get through the whole thing within. Yeah. So next year it changed it. So you'll still go to work. Yeah. So I'll still, I'll still go to work on the Wednesday. Yeah. And you get paid for that work, don't you? Yeah, I get paid. Yep. Right. Okay. So that's a apprenticeship wages, like the normal apprentice. Yep. Yeah. And so in regards to, you know, when you go to the who's, who else is in that class? Is it only school-based apprentices? Is that a unique class or who's in that class? Yeah. Um, my class, we've got a whole range of students, so we have there's one other school-based apprentice in my, in my, uh, class, or we've also got, you know, um, other apprentices to, uh, lock in their thirties who also got apprentices. You can stay at high school as well as those in their like mid twenties wide range. So there's a whole mixture, but you're actually in undertaking your apprenticeship theory alongside what other apprentices who have left school or are undertaking it. So you're in the same mix. So you still getting the same training, they're not getting a unique sort of training that goes for, how does it feel being in the workplace, you know, on that Wednesday, when you go to work and you're not at school, talk to me about how, how did that happen and how do you, how does that work for you? Well, I see workers for wind down for me, really from all the schoolwork that I have to do, because, because I'm really passionate about that sort of thing. It's, it's really like calming for me personally. You're doing what you love. Yeah, yeah, exactly. Right. Um, well going into work, it's, everyone's really, you know, we will help each other out if we need help with like doing something on a machine, you know, just call them over. And yeah, even though I'm a, school-based some traded as if I was, you know, just another employee that Wednesday, that you're at work what's happening at school. How does that work? Do you miss out on schoolwork? Yep. So once I, I do miss out on just whatever periods I have that day, but, or just work with the teachers and I tell them, you know, I've got this day off and they understand and you know, we just walk around it. Right. Okay. So it's already been preset. The teachers know it there's more than yourself that goes out on the Wednesday or whatever day it actually is. And you just had mechanisms in place to either catch up or do the study, et cetera, with what it actually is. All right. Okay. What were the people around you, your influences, your carers, your family, your friends, what did they do they know about a school-based apprenticeship or w what were their thoughts about it? Everyone has been really supportive about the idea just because I've always had that passion for mechanical things. So it really helped in that regard, but no one really knew that this was even a thing, you know, school-based apprentices and apprenticeships that it's not like a general sort of thing. You don't always say, you know, school of readiness, just walking around because there's not many of us doing this thing. Right. Yeah. I mean, it's growing and everything. Isn't right. Yeah. And I think probably that's one of the reasons why we're talking to you, that you are such a great example of how a school-based apprenticeship works. And, you know, you were talking about that you do block release, and then you go to school at this time and everything like that. And that you were saying that in year 12, that you won't have to worry about doing that anymore. So you can concentrate more just on your schoolwork. So is that a typical way that you know, of a school-based apprenticeship works is, you know, the block release company. I know that most students that are doing, um, a TAFE course, they usually take an afternoon, which then it makes it, so the TAFE course goes over the two years, year 11 and 12, right? Yeah. So what I'm doing is definitely unique in my school because I don't think anyone else in my school is doing a block release. Right. But it's interesting that you're, um, you're doing your training and when you're actually in your training, you're doing it with people who are also apprentices outside of the school system. So it's actually a normal, what would be considered a normal way of delivery of a training. And you're sort of just matching him with that and you're not losing it. Okay. So let's have a bit of a chat about how did you get into your interest, uh, you know, working with heavy machinery and cars, where does, where did that all come from? Well, at the beginning of year nine, I can say, I didn't even know what a spark plug was. And I, I knew nothing of the sorts regarding anything to do with mechanical things. I've always been, you know, oh, look, that's a pretty car, that sort of thing, but it's never been, you know, how does this work? You know, how, how can I make something work that didn't used to? So I've got to really thank my teacher for teaching me how to do things in the automotive field, because a year 10, I think it was last year, we have this thing where we'd fix up cars and then we give it to refugees. And he got me working on this ness and blue bird, and I had the worst oil week. It took me a good week, few weeks to actually get it done and just, you know, tenacious efforts of, you know, ah, there's a work now and it's still leaking. Okay. Try it again. And just doing that, just those little jobs. And that just helps really build my passion for, for it. All right. Yeah. And then just doing all these little jobs, learning more and then just kept growing from there. And what's happened with the Nissan Bluebird where where's that now? Yep. So we finally got that done. Finally. It was really long process, but, um, finally got it going and then we just gave it to a refugee and now that's on the roads or certified jobs. Yeah. So you guys are a group of you like a group of you worked on the car and then you created, so you got it ready to be used. And then it was just donated. Fantastic. What a great thing to do. I think it is. Yeah. And it's amazing. So listen, a few years ago that you did know that this is actually where you want to be, and now it sounds like it's actually your passion and your career. That's where you want to go. Yeah. I've just learnt so much with everything to do with the mechanical side of things and just constantly learning and growing and, you know, it's, it really is just a passion. I love it. Well, I want, wanna, I want to just talk about the fact that, um, you're doing your school based apprenticeship and you're the school captain and you wanted to be part of this program, um, to talk about school based apprenticeships. What's driving you in regards to that, what what's driving you to do this again, artists, like I want to help people and because I've always had PayPal, who've like always had my back and they've always been pushing me, supporting me. And I just want to be someone that can inspire others and, you know, really just like pay it forward sort of thing, you know? And yeah, because there are younger people out there who don't have a positive model. Like I know from personal experience that I didn't really have much of parents to like look up to sort of thing. And I know there's other kids out there and if I can show them and be like, this is actually something you can do, you know, if you can put in the hard work, you can actually achieve great things. I mean, that's just such a lovely thing I wanted to talk about. What's going to happen after you finished school. So what's your plans after you finish school? So my plan is to apply for the army actually, and yeah. And just go in that direction with it within defense and I don't see any better way to help others than to actually serve the country sort of thing, you know? Yeah. And what'd you do where you do the apprenticeship or what are you thinking of doing in the army? Um, I'm thinking of going in a more in a combat role. That's my idea. Anyway, get into Ahmed Corps and do on the big stuff. Really the real big stuff, but that's just, what's big stuff for you. Leaking tanks would be ideal, right? Because my teacher, he's always, he's a, um, aircraft. He used to be an aircraft maintenance technician guy and he just tells me like, drove this other love for aircraft and how they work in gas turbine engines. And within a tank, they've got a gas turbine engine. So I'll just put the two together, you know, working on big trucks and right. Big machinery. And do you think you'll do an apprenticeship as well? Is that what you're looking for within the army to go through, come back. Do you, do you think that you might use the apprenticeship or use these studies in the, in the sleep is definitely helps me quiet or the skills needed within the fields of doing that. And if I finish my apprenticeship and I get this a three, then that will just make training easier. If I go in to do say a mechanic job. Yeah. It's just helpful in every way, compared to not doing anything like this, finishing your year 12, you can use that for when you go into your army for your application to say that I've already started to do this apprenticeship, I suppose, like, it really helps, you know, especially saying like, I've got my hair, just animals are doing this. I've got a career goal, which is your passion, which is that you're either going to join the army or you were talking about maybe even if you want to finish your apprenticeship, first of all, going into your second year of your apprenticeship, straight out of school. Um, so finishing that and then applying for the army, I wanted to just talk to you about the earning component of it. So you're actually earning money while you're actually at school doing the school based apprenticeship. Do you work anywhere else or do you do anything else? Nah, uh, the money that I earned from doing this apprenticeship it's it's enough to get me to and from work you've needed, no, that pays to transport. And I can even save that towards getting, say a car or something like in the future. Yeah. You're not working after hours after school. You're not working on weekends and well, I was doing school. That's all part of the one, the one system for you. Oh, that's fantastic. That'll make life much easier. So you're moving into an area, which is definitely what we perceived as a male dominated. And in reality, there's only about 2% of the trades in male-dominated who are actually female. So you're really in the cutting edge. So what's your workplace? Like how do you get treated in the workplace, in the workplace for oldest? You know, we all work together. We're just one little team and we all get the job done and gender has nothing to do with it really. And as well as age as well, like, you know, my mechanic he's in his thirties hitting 40 in slack. No, compared to me I'm 16 and yeah, no, that's a bit of a, that's like a huge gap between like, you know, and then yeah, there's another apprentice. He's like 20 something and we all just work together like, you know? Right. So are you treated differently in the workplace? Are you finding it? Yeah, not at all. Yeah. No, I, they give me a job and I'll go do it, you know, a job's a job and we'll just get it done. Yeah. Okay. So what are, what are your thoughts in regards to this idea about the gender, gender stereotyping and sign that these are really not necessarily not suitable, but they're not attractive to, uh, for females to enter into the workplace. Yeah. I think in society, we need to get over the stereotypes that we're making, because it just doesn't help anyone like w a job's a job. If you can do the job, then do it. If you're passionate about it, life strive towards it and do your best at it because when it comes down to, oh, you can't do this job because of your agenda. That's just, it doesn't make sense in any regard at all. So I think we all need to get over it really and just, you know, just do your best with whatever you want to do. And don't think about, you know, just get on with the job. Yeah. Yeah. And don't look the stigma of anything because may, for example, like I'm doing all these great things and I'm not a male, you know, my agenda has nothing to do with the fact that I'm excelling in everything that I'm doing. Yeah. I just really think that pay for near to find their passion and just go towards it and not be, you know, held back by, oh, I can't do this. I can't do that. You know, and especially for parents need to understand that and like give their kids that opportunity to take on life if, if their kid wants to go and work on, like, you know, get dirty in that, in like play around with oil or with gloves, of course, you know, keeping in mind that it's a carcinogenic material, but if they want to go in that direction, like it's really good to just support it. What has doing the school-based apprenticeship? What has that given you? How has that, how has that affected you really made me grow up and understand how the big world works, you know, and just give me all that experience, but also helped me develop the skills needed to, um, just be better and better myself and just, yeah. Do you see that change in yourself? Do you see where, who you used to be? It may be as a year, 10 or 11. Not really from you 10, because you tend, are still thinking about what needs to be done and doing all the things within an automotive, but year nine. Definitely. I was just the worst as students in my younger years. And just being given this, you know, time to actually, you know, the opportunity to even do better. It's just, yeah. Yeah. And it's also allows you that safety, doesn't it? That you're still at school, so you're still within your friendship groups or within the I really safe environment, but you can explore possible careers right now and it doesn't impact on your studies or your agency. Um, you know, that sort of component your, you know, you say you're still safe, it's still, you've got the best of both worlds, I suppose I would say. Yeah, definitely. I feel as if, if I find that this apprenticeship isn't going work out, it's not something I really want to do. And I've still got my hate to say that I can, I can still, you know, use all my knowledge in that to go find another career path, if needed you also then also got that qualification, separate qualification to that as well, or, you know, a par qualification or the units leading towards a trade qualification. Yeah. Which a lot of those are underpinning, you know, how to communicate, how to work as a team, how to work effectively, all those skills that need to be taught to get a job. Yeah. Yeah, definitely, absolutely. Fantastic. So tell me, you know, if we're going to, if you've got, if there's employees listening to this or someone from industry that's into this, what advice or what, what would you like to say to them in regards to school-based apprenticeships? Yeah. So I think it's really important for employers to understand that because I'm taking on a student as a school-based apprentice, just because they're young, it doesn't mean that they're not going to be able to carry out the necessary jobs and they won't be hardworking and diligent because I'm like, oh, I'm a real example. Real life example of that we do exist. And just having that opportunity can really change our students' life may, you know, turn out because especially like I know from being in the younger year and then having, like having all of these opportunities come towards me, like I've really been able to change as a person. And if it wasn't for these opportunities being offered, then who knows where I'd be at this stage. But yeah, I just think it's great to be open-minded and understand that age has nothing to do with the performance. Like they will carry out and there is always every generation. I think we've spoken about this a few times, um, of, um, all the recordings is that concept that always the older generation will be making comments about the younger generation. And you're just a prime example to me, of somebody who is just breaking that stereotypic role. Um, you know, you, you know, your commitment, your passion, and the fact that you're talking about resilience, patience, great communication, all those things, uh, and absolute delight to hear. Um, and it probably is probably a reflection of actually what a lot of people at your age are actually enjoying, but they just don't get seen. Yeah. Yeah. So what about if, um, for, um, maybe some students in year six, you know, young kids still in primary school, maybe people who are in year seven through to year 10 or even people who are just in, you know, just trying to work out what they want to do, what advice or what suggestions would you give them in regards to school based apprenticeships? I think that, especially in younger years, if you find something interesting or you have a passion towards something, just chase it. And if it throws you onto another path, just cave yarn, really. Cause there's no point, you know, just doing what you're told to do as bad as that sounds. But sometimes you need to break down that all those stigmas and stereotypes associated that like, if you have a passion towards something, really go for it, cause it can take you to great places. And then as I was saying, and the great thing is that you're still in a school environment. So this is all about tasting. It's all about trying things out and, and trying to expand what you're actually trying to do. The idea that you can earn and you can learn at the same time is just huge. Isn't it? I mean, you know, you, you have that stability, you know, you've got a job so you can just get on with your schoolwork and you've got that safety net and that this all counts towards your HSC as well. So it's been an absolute pleasure. I know that people are going to be contacting me to say, how's, Talena going, did you get the army? What did she do? So we, we might need to catch up with you again to
Speaker 1:See how you're going, but I want to wish you all the best. Okay.[inaudible] so thanks everybody for joining us for that pop towns. I hope you enjoy that. If you'd like some more information, you forgot to the website as bad in new south wales.info or search for the department of education, new south Wales school-based apprenticeship programs, or until we meet again, take care.