Getting a sneak peek at work life
Employers are targeting high school students in the battle for fresh talent.
Taking photographs of elephants and maintaining a major tourist attraction's website are not typical school-time activities but Beerwah State High School Year 11 student Nicholas Wiggins, pictured, spends every Wednesday doing just that at Australia Zoo.
He's one of the 23,000 youths across Queensland who have started a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship (SAT) in the past two years.
The popularity of the SAT scheme is so high that this state claims 40 per cent of all "starts" in Australia.
SATs team students with employers in their area, providing paid work experience and time off traineeships or apprenticeships to students.
They afford employers the chance to attract fresh talent to fill future training-level roles.
Students work at the business during school hours - some attend for a full day, others for an afternoon.
They must complete a series of study components, either as a school subject or TAFE course, to achieve a Certificate II, III or IV.
SATs are formed in many ways: Students can initiate the process, through their school counsellor or businesses can approach schools to form partnerships.
State and federal governments have a framework for businesses and schools to follow.
Due to the recent change of government in Canberra, some programs are under review and some funding has ceased but the easiest road for parents and students to find out more about SATs is to ask at school.
Wiggins says he wanted to do a web design SAT to put him "a few steps ahead of anyone else wanting to go into a similar industry as me".
He worked at the zoo during the Christmas holidays but now goes there on Wednesdays and on some weekends.
"At first I wasn't really sure about getting a traineeship because I've always thought about going to uni instead but I thought: 'What difference would it make to get a traineeship in the meantime, seeing as I will be doing this as well as school?,'"
Wiggins says. "The zoo is really flexible and its a great place to work. I've learnt a fair bit in the short time I've been working at the zoo.
"I have been out taking photos of all sorts of animals and have been able to get up close and see some of the things that usual visitors wouldn't - on top of all the things I've been doing on the computer.
"Most importantly, I have learnt what a real workplace is like."
Australia Zoo training and trainee co-ordinator Louise Thompson says the zoo has 19 students from a number of schools completing Certificate II in Business or Retail or a Certificate III in Tourism or IT.
They work in admissions, retail, reception, the Wildlife Warriors office, website design, information technology and tours.
"It's a win/win situation for us because we receive young, willing staff members who are prepared to learn and grow within the industry," Thompson says.
"Many of our school-based trainees stay on working after they finish Year 12 and we now have several full-time ex-SATs working in marketing, accounts, administration, retail and with the crocodiles."
High school recruitment is fast becoming a weapon in the war to attract staff.
Printworks owner Paul Scanlon says he set up an Adopt-a-School program to entice young people into printing careers.
The program involves Aspley, Albany Creek and Bracken Ridge high schools, and includes career information sessions, SATs, school subject content and parent information nights.
He takes on a number of SATs a year and then gives them a permanent job if they want to finish their apprenticeship and they suit the company's culture.
"The reason why we do this Adopt-a-School program is to ensure that Printworks is in front of every other business looking for apprentices," Scanlon says.
"These young people could choose to be electricians, mechanics . . . anything, so this way they get to sample what the printing industry will be like and if they like the graphic arts before they take on a full-time apprenticeship.
"The success rate (of apprentices finishing their probation and going on to accept a full-time job) is about 25 per cent but this way it lifts to 90 per cent because they know what they are in for, they have met who they are going to be working with and the parents have been through the place," he says.
Scanlon says printing is overlooked by many people looking for work, even though his qualified employees nab "enormous undisclosed wages" for three 12-hour shifts a week.
The lure of a paid job and a secure future convinced Printworks apprentice Andrew Elliot, 16, to follow up his Year 11 SAT with a full-time apprenticeship.
Because of that, he will not graduate from high school but says he is happy.
"I was one of those people that didn't know what I wanted to do - if I should stay at school and go to uni or find work somewhere," Elliot says. "I heard about printing and a woman came to school to talk to us about it and I thought I would give it a shot to see what it would be like.
"I am an apprentice print machinist so I help out with any little things they need me to, like filling up ink ducts, loading paper, setting up jobs and changing plates on the printing presses.
"I have never been happier. It's something enjoyable. There's always something to be done that's new. I like that you have to train and be taught to do special things.
"Not finishing Year 12 was one thing that got to me, because I won't be able to say I finished high school but then I realised that starting my full-time apprenticeship now means I will be 19 when I finish and I can start life early. Everything has turned out fine."
Not all SAT students choose to leave school early to take on an apprenticeship.
Education Queensland statistics show 12 per cent of SAT students went on to university, while 40 per cent scored an apprenticeship or traineeship after leaving school.
Year 12s who did a SAT were more likely to be working full-time after having finished school.
Education and Training Minister Rod Welford says doing an apprenticeship or traineeship can affect a student's maturity because they are working and learning in an adult environment.
"Regardless of whether they pursue a job, university, TAFE or a trade career, they gain skills and personal attributes that make them more employable. Many young people who participate in a SAT are also more motivated at school," Welford says.
What does industry get?
Career Advice Australia facilitator Travis Windsor says SATs are important for industry because they:
* Supply workers to industry. More are needed in almost all industry, particularly manufacturing and construction
* Provide another training option and another hiring/employment option
* Can suit large or small employers
* Are popular for tradesmen with school-aged children wanting to work with their parent
* Bring a fresh approach to workplace
* Can work where traditional school-leaver recruitment methods are not meeting demand for workers
SAT jargon
* Local Community Partnerships: Committee of schools, youth service providers, local industries, businesses, employer groups, career advisers, parents and government agencies, work to link students to SAT placements. Find one by contacting a school or log on to dest.gov.au and search for LCP preferred applicants.
* Regional Industry Career Advisers: Network of advisers who know what local industry needs skills and who can provide a SAT. careeradvice australia.gov.au
* National Industry Career Specialists: advisers representing 10 industry sectors.
The Courier-Mail, March 1-2, 2008
