School to work program
The School to Work Program is for all students in NSW public schools with a secondary enrolment and actively supports their informed, planned and quality transitions through school and particularly from school for each student. It also includes collaboration with primary schools to coordinate career related learning as students transition from Year 6 to Year 7.
The program has four key action areas to enhance student’s post school transitions.
Students will achieve a range of career and vocational learning outcomes which support their successful transition through and beyond school. Schools will provide strategies and opportunities that enable their students to achieve these outcomes. Schools will review and refine their school to work program annually to enhance quality and to best meet the career and transition needs of all their students.
Teacher Quality and Impact teams (previously school services) provide advice and support to schools to implement quality career learning and career education programs. Senior Pathways will guide and support by providing policy directions, professional development, management tools and support materials.
Educators nationwide are confronting this problem by introducing school-to-work or school-to-career programs to make the transition easier. School-to-work introduces high school students to a range of career options. The programs aim to make the work environment less daunting and more of an active learning environment.
School-to-work cannot solve all that ails schools. When implemented successfully, though, it can help students make connections between what they learn and life beyond the classroom. Ideally, school-to-work also broadens how content is taught, asking that teachers also make links between content and the “real world.” School-to-work programs ideally include school-based learning, work-based learning, and connecting activities. School-based learning is the classroom instruction that prepares students for work, while work-based learning is the actual on-the-job experience. Connecting activities include mentoring and other initiatives that provide a link between school and work.