Widening Participation goes bush
QUT’s Widening Participation team recently completed a tour into regional Queensland, visiting 500 students and staff in Emerald and Biloela, to deliver a suite of Explore Your Future career education sessions.
Adam McNiven, Outreach & Student Engagement Officer, along with two student ambassadors Chris Kerkow and Sarah Evans, engaged in a busy 2-day tour visiting Year 10, 11 and 12 students from Biloela SHS, Emerald Christian College and Emerald SHS.
The students learnt about a variety of occupations and pathway choices available to them in the future. Chris and Sarah shared their own personal experiences with relocating from regional areas for university study, finding accommodation and gaining employment. They discussed some of the obstacles that they had overcome and their tips around applying for tertiary access schemes and the financial support available to students.
The Explore Your Future team took the Year 10 students through some self-awareness activities and talked about subject and VET choices to help students with their SET Planning process. The Year 12 students were shown how to analyse the many different pathways to training, employment and further education. They also explored the industries where the National Skills Commission predicts that employment will increase significantly in coming years. All senior students have access to ongoing support through the availability of free 45 minute focus sessions with Career Practitioners, and pre-paid QTAC vouchers (valued at $45) to help them apply for uni or TAFE.
Overall, the visit was well received with many of the school students and staff appreciating the visit to their community, and the opportunity to chat with university students who have transitioned from regional areas to study.
“I liked listening to other stories especially Sarah’s due to the fact I am thinking about becoming a paramedic”. Year 10, Emerald SHS student
“I liked that someone from a small town can have more career options and I learnt having more options is good for my future careers”. Year 10, Biloela SHS student
“I liked hearing the wide variety of opportunities after high school – I feel better knowing there are many different options”. Year 12, Biloela SHS student
“I liked how the content was aimed at all students, not just those who knew they want to go to uni”. Emerald SHS Year 10 teacher.
“It was great to hear personal stories. Thank you!” Biloela SHS, Year 12 teacher
“The students found the personal stories helpful to think about their own future. I felt everything was well covered”. Biloela SHS, Year 10 teacher
The QUT Widening Participation team will collaborate with internal partners and their colleagues at other universities to deliver the pilot program in several regional and remote regions this year.