2017 Expo
2017 Expo
Passions And Pathways Expo Showcases
Student Career Possibilities
Local primary school students share their experiences in the workplace at the 2017 Passions and Partnerships Expo, where young people are exposed to the world of work.
Over 100 Grade six students from Specimen Hill, Eaglehawk, Lightning Reef and St Monica’s Primary Schools joined together to lead and present at the Passions and Pathways Expo, where they showcased the workplace projects they’ve undertaken during the 2017 Passions and Pathways program.
Project director Anne Brosnan said bringing together employers, students, educators and parents has many beneficial effects on young people including skill development and curating a positive perception of the workplace.
“Year 6 is a critical time for students who are beginning to make the connections between staying in school and future employment.
“We have received great feedback from students who have participated in program during previous years, such as when they started secondary school education they entered with an understanding of the workplace and were informed on how to aspire toward their chosen careers paths by making the right decisions and applying themselves.”
The Passions and Partnerships program is a valuable partnership between primary schools and a variety of local industries, to help expose students at their critical age, to the range of career opportunities that are available to them in their futures.
At the Expo, held at Bendigo TAFE, students displayed what they had learnt from their workplace projects during formal presentations to a large audience. Their pride in their contributions to the program was rewarded by meeting with their host employers for photos and to hand out certificates of appreciation.
Sally Thomson, owner of the Bendigo Pottery and a founding member of the Passions and Pathways Steering Committee, remarked that hosting students over the past five years has been a highlight for her workplace.
“Our staff love seeing the enthusiasm in the young people who come into our workplace. After spending time with the students we can really notice the difference it is making. Having their eyes opened to the endless possibilities for future careers is something they may not have experienced anywhere else.”
“This is a great partnership that was started by business, alongside education, and it is fantastic to see the program succeeding for students, growing and getting better each year.”
Passions and Pathways is a unique partnership between the Goldfields Local Learning and Employment Network (GLLEN), local Primary Schools, the Economic Development Unit from the City of Greater Bendigo, the Bendigo Manufacturing Group and over 30 local businesses.
